What happened
On April 23, 2014, a Kubiček BB-42 Z hot air balloon, registration SP-BDF, departed from Nałęczów carrying a pilot and seven passengers. The flight initially proceeded under favorable conditions, but after approximately 40 to 50 minutes, the pilot noted an increase in wind speed. Seeking a safe landing site, the pilot selected a field near Niezabitów.
During the landing sequence, the pilot estimated a horizontal wind speed of 10–12 m/s. As the basket approached the ground, it struck a boundary ridge (miedza) running perpendicular to the flight path. This impact caused the basket to bounce approximately 3 meters into the air before eventually tipping onto its side. The passengers reported that the basket bounced three or four times before coming to a rest. The impact resulted in one serious injury and three minor injuries among the passengers.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the pilot's competency, the aircraft's weight and balance, and the passenger safety instructions. Investigators analyzed satellite imagery and meteorological data from various stations, which revealed that convective clouds (CB) and precipitation were already present near the start of the flight, despite the pilot's belief that conditions were stable.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's instructions to passengers prior to landing. It was determined that the instructions provided were partially inconsistent with the emergency procedures required for high-wind landings. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the occupancy of the basket, noting that the number of occupants exceeded the calculated maximum capacity for the specific configuration of the basket.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to plan and execute the flight despite forecasted dangerous atmospheric phenomena.
- The pilot provided landing instructions to passengers that did not fully align with the established emergency procedures for high-wind conditions.
- The pilot demonstrated insufficient knowledge regarding the interpretation of standard aviation meteorological information (such as METAR and TAF).
- The basket was overcrowded, carrying eight people when the calculated maximum capacity based on the available space and equipment was seven.
- The choice of landing site was inappropriate for the wind speed, as the presence of obstacles (the boundary ridge) contributed to the violent bouncing of the basket.