Incident Summary
On May 4, 2022, at Przylep Airport near Zielona Góra (EPZP), a student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country training flight in a Tecnam P2008-JC registered SP-KAS. The aircraft departed at 17:00 LMT and was returning around 18:00 LMT. The student reported her position on a left downwind leg for Runway 06, north of the airport. The supervising instructor, acting as flight director, assigned her as number one for landing and instructed her to report final.
Sequence of Events
Meanwhile, a powered paraglider (motoparalotnia) was in the area, operating without radio communication, positioned near the third turn of a right-hand traffic pattern for Runway 06, south of the airport. At approximately 18:06 LMT, the student completed the fourth turn and reported final. At that point, the powered paraglider moved dynamically toward the runway threshold and crossed the flight path of the Tecnam.
Recognizing the dangerous situation, the flight director ordered the student to perform a go-around. The student executed the command and subsequently landed without consequences around 18:11 LMT.
Cause
The investigation determined the cause of the incident was improper observation of the airspace by the pilot of the powered paraglider in the vicinity of the airport.
Contributing Factors
Contributing factors included the lack of radio communication with the powered paraglider pilot and the position of the sun, which reduced visibility from the powered paraglider in the direction from which the Tecnam was approaching.
Preventive Actions
The airport operator, Aeroklub Ziemi Lubuskiej (AZL), implemented several measures: a discussion was held with the powered paraglider pilot; all aircraft operating in the Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) were required to have two-way radio capability and appropriate radio privileges; on May 12, 2022, additional theoretical training was conducted for the AZL Paragliding Section on ATZ procedures, traffic pattern construction, and operational procedures at EPZP; coordination between the flight director and all airport users was discussed; and the incident was reviewed at an extended meeting of the AZL BL Team on May 27, 2022.