What happened
On August 15, 2021, at approximately 13:00, a winch-assisted paragliding launch took place at the Mieroszów takeoff site near Wałbrzych. The flight, which was a training operation, proceeded normally through the initial phase of the winch pull. However, once the PERFEX paraglider reached an altitude of approximately 10 to 12 meters, the aircraft began to drift leftward.
In an attempt to assist the pilot in correcting the flight path, the winch operator reduced the tension on the line and issued radio commands to steer right. When the pilot failed to respond to these instructions and the leftward turn intensified, the operator issued a command to release the line and simultaneously used a guillotine mechanism to sever the tow rope. Following the release, the paraglider continued in a descending left turn and struck the ground nose-first at a steep angle. The pilot sustained fatal injuries at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the pilot's training, the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and the sequence of the winch launch. The investigation established that the pilot held the necessary qualifications for the flight, though he had relatively limited experience, with approximately 15 flight hours.
Investigators also analyzed the local weather, noting that while the sky was clear with some cumulus clouds, there were active thermal currents moving across the takeoff site. The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path immediately following the launch and the lack of corrective action taken by the pilot during the deviation from the intended course.