A320 IFR vs aerotow: Class E airprox

Class E airprox ~2.8 km south of Lübeck-Blankensee between an IFR A320 on radar vectors for ILS RWY 07 and a VFR aerotow (Grob 109 tug with ASW 27 in tow); no injuries, ASW 27 lightly damaged. Radar showed closest separation ~37 m horizontal, ~120 m vertical. The A320 continued descent below 915 m MSL into the developing conflict; a TCAS 'Climb' RA reversed it to a climb. During the avoidance the ASW 27 contacted the leading tug's tow rope and shed its left winglet. Contributing: late, insufficient ATC heading correction (10°); descent clearance not withdrawn; radar vectoring south of CTR without adequate platform coordination.

1. A320 on radar vectors, ILS RWY 07: An IFR A320 from Gdansk was on radar vectors for an ILS approach to RWY 07 at Lübeck-Blankensee, descending under Bremen approach control after RWY 25 was refused.
2. Aerotow departed glider site, heading S: A VFR aerotow — a Grob 109 B tug and an ASW 27-18 E glider — departed Lübeck-Blankensee and climbed south; the glider's radio, tuned to the site frequency, could not be reached by ATC.
3. A320 descent clearance not withdrawn: The A320 was cleared to descend to ~915 m MSL despite a developing conflict with the aerotow, visible on radar south of the CTR; the clearance was not withdrawn.
4. Late, insufficient ATC heading turn 10°: A 10° heading correction was issued to the A320 late, insufficient for adequate separation; the aerotow then turned right, briefly back toward the A320's path.
5. TCAS RA 'Climb' on A320 at ~925 m MSL: The A320's TCAS issued 'Climb' near 925 m MSL; it began climbing two seconds later. Separation reached ~37 m horizontal, ~120 m vertical; the glider struck the tow rope, losing a winglet.
6. ASW 27 lightly damaged; no injuries: The A320 climbed to ~1,030 m MSL; the conflict resolved 17 seconds later and both aircraft landed safely. The glider's left winglet was torn off; the A320 was undamaged, with no injuries.