What happened
On October 4, 2019, a training flight was being conducted at Leszno Airport (EPLS) using a winch launch method. The flight involved a student pilot operating an Advance Alpha 6 paraglider under the supervision of an instructor. The objective of the exercise was a low-altitude launch to approximately 15–20 meters without disconnecting from the tow line.
During the flight, the student pilot initially drifted to the left, but successfully corrected the course following radio instructions from the instructor. However, after the instructor gave the command to release tension on the tow line, the student pilot maintained a heavy input on the right brake. Despite the instructor issuing three consecutive commands to steer left, the student pilot failed to respond. This caused the paraglider to turn approximately 90 degrees away from the winch axis. At an altitude of roughly 4 meters, the tow line became taut, abruptly braking the paraglider and causing the student pilot to fall to the ground. The student pilot sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the training was being conducted by a registered flight school with a qualified instructor. The investigation confirmed that the flight was part of an approved training program and that radio communication between the instructor and the student pilot remained functional throughout the event. Meteorological conditions were found to be suitable for flight and did not contribute to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the student pilot's failure to react to the deviation from the tow axis and the continued use of the right brake.
- The instructor's radio commands were heard and the communication system was operational, yet the student failed to execute the necessary corrections.