What happened
On May 18, 2019, a recreational hot air balloon flight, operating a Schroeder “G” with registration SP-BAN, concluded with an accident near Kębłowo, Poland. The flight departed from Dominice at approximately 19:25 LMT carrying the pilot and one passenger. After roughly 50 minutes of flight in favorable weather conditions, the pilot initiated a descent toward a field near Kębłowo that appeared suitable for landing.
The balloon landed at approximately 20:15 UTC in a field adjacent to a road connecting Kębłowo and Świętno. After the balloon came to a halt, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to lift and drift approximately 25 meters across the road. The balloon subsequently landed again, coming to rest in front of an electrical power line. While the pilot was opening the vent to deflate the envelope, the fabric tilted toward the power lines and made contact with the wires. This contact caused an electrical short and sparking, which ignited a fire in the balloon envelope.
The pilot and passenger were able to exit the basket safely and sustained no injuries. Emergency services, including the fire department and police, attended the scene. No damage to property or the electrical infrastructure was reported.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid balloon pilot license and a current medical certificate. Testing confirmed the pilot was not under the influence of alcohol. The aircraft was found to be airworthy, properly documented, and insured. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the initial touchdown and the interaction between the balloon envelope and the overhead power lines.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot error in selecting a landing site too close to power lines located along the landing path.
- Meteorological conditions, specifically a wind gust following the initial landing, contributed to the movement of the aircraft.
- The pilot failed to sufficiently account for the potential for the balloon to lift and drift after the first touchdown while it still possessed buoyancy.
- The contact between the balloon envelope and the electrical wires directly resulted in the fire.