Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

This study aims to examine flight safety risks associated with low-altitude operations in mountainous terrain. The research applies a case study methodology based on a fatal paragliding accident in the High Tatras (10 September 2023), integrating accident investigation data, meteorological analysis, and a comparative assessment of Slovak and Polish legislation. The findings identify severe thermal turbulence as the primary causal factor and reveal regulatory discrepancies affecting risk exposure. The study highlights the need for improved preventive measures and proposes the introduction of a fixed minimum flight altitude as a practical solution. The originality of this work lies in combining environmental and regulatory analysis to enhance aviation safety.