Incident Overview
On 21 August 2021, a serious incident occurred at Strzyżowice near Leszno (EPLS) involving a UL Skylane Towmaster (registration OK-YOU-34) and a Jantar Std 3 glider (registration SP-3648). The aircraft were performing a glider tow operation. During the initial climb after takeoff, the tow plane pilot executed a sharp right turn to avoid a descending paraglider tow rope, but the glider's left wing struck the rope. The paraglider winch operator cut the rope, and the glider pilot released from the tow, secured airspeed, and landed straight ahead in a cornfield with the rope wrapped around the glider.
Sequence of Events
On the day of the incident, the Leszno Cup 2021 glider competition was taking place. Launches were from runway 23. After glider tows, paragliders resumed launches from taxiway A using a winch. Following a paraglider launch and release at altitude, the tow rope began descending. A tow plane and glider team prepared for departure. After receiving clearance from the glider flight director via radio, the team took off. During the climb, the tow plane pilot noticed the descending paraglider tow rope and made a sharp right turn to avoid it. The glider pilot could not replicate the maneuver and struck the rope with the left wing. The winch operator cut the rope upon seeing the collision. The glider pilot released the tow, maintained speed, and landed in a cornfield. No one was injured.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The tow plane, a UL Skylane Towmaster (OK-YOU-34), was operated by Szkoła Paralotniowa Fly2Live. The glider, a Jantar Std 3 (SP-3648), was operated by Aeroklub Leszczyński. The tow plane pilot, a 29-year-old male, held a CPL(A) license with ratings for SEP(L), MEP(L), IR, EMB 170/IR, and glider towing. His total flight time was 1,750 hours, with 393 as pilot-in-command. The glider pilot, a 57-year-old male, held an SPL license with aerobatic and FI ratings. His total glider flight time was 4,255 hours, with 2,500 as pilot-in-command. Both pilots held valid medical certificates.
Damage and Injuries
No injuries were reported. The glider sustained minor damage, including marks on the leading edge of the left wing from the tow rope.
Operational Context
Glider launches were from runway 23 (heading 230°), while paraglider launches were from taxiway A (heading approximately 260°). The launch directions intersected at an angle of about 30°, creating a collision risk. The location of the paraglider launch area was not precisely coordinated with the airport manager or the glider flight director. Information about the closure of taxiways A and D for paraglider operations had been posted in a NOTAM group on WhatsApp.
Radio Communications
Recorded radio transmissions showed that before the tow, the paraglider flight director announced "Leszno radio, paraglider launching." Shortly after, the glider pilot checked radio communication. The glider flight director then asked the tow plane pilot, "Is the area ahead clear?" and received an affirmative reply. The glider flight director then instructed, "OK, when the rope is taut, take off." During this time, the flight director was also managing other traffic. It appears that the glider flight director and the tow plane pilot (team commander) did not notice the paraglider launch announcement. The paraglider flight director did not confirm when the paraglider released the rope. The paraglider flight director, upon hearing the glider team prepare for takeoff, should have delayed their launch until the paraglider tow was complete and the rope had landed. The two flight directors did not coordinate overall traffic; each focused solely on their own operations.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified several shortcomings. The designation of a single flight director for combined operations was not agreed upon; each operator had their own flight director. No formal coordination of responsibilities or launch locations was established. Communication between flight directors was limited to announcing intentions without confirming safe execution. The tow plane and glider pilots were not informed that paraglider operations had resumed. The glider flight director asked about the area ahead but did not specifically check for the paraglider tow rope, which is difficult to see. The paraglider flight director did not announce the rope release, which would have alerted others to the falling hazard.
Probable Cause
The report did not state a single probable cause. It highlighted multiple contributing factors related to coordination and communication deficiencies.