Incident Description
On 24 October 2021, a Cessna 150 H, registration SP-KAY, was performing a training flight with an instructor pilot and a student pilot from Przylep (EPZP) to Szprotawa-Wiechlice (EPWE). The flight included a planned simulated precautionary landing at EPWE. The crew conducted an aerial survey of the aerodrome, observing no signs of aviation activity or displayed markings, and hearing no radio communications. FIS Poznań did not report any activity at the aerodrome. At approximately 14:00 LMT, the aircraft flew over EPWE at an altitude of about 50 feet AGL without intending to land. The return and landing at EPZP were uneventful.
Two days after the flight, a pre-flight inspection revealed a light scuff on the leading edge of the left wing. The cause was not immediately determined. Four days after the flight, members of the Aeroklubu Ziemi Lubuskiej (AZL) learned from a paraglider pilot present at EPWE on the day of the incident that the aircraft had collided with a paraglider tow line.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) reviewed the incident. The commission determined that the collision occurred with a tow line used for paraglider towing operations at the aerodrome. The investigation noted that the paraglider operations were being conducted without displaying the required warning signs, and the aircraft crew failed to notice these operations during their aerial survey. Additionally, the paraglider operators did not inform the FIS (Flight Information Service) about their flights, which would have provided a warning to other airspace users.
Causes and Contributing Circumstances
The commission identified two causes of the incident: 1. Performing towed paragliding flights without the required warning signs. 2. Failure of the aircraft crew to notice aviation operations at the aerodrome.
A contributing circumstance was the failure to relay information about the paragliding flights to the FIS.
As a result of the incident, the AZL decided to cease aviation operations at EPWE and to increase caution when performing simulated precautionary landing exercises and other emergency situation drills. No additional safety recommendations were formulated.