What happened
On April 28, 2024, a commercial hot air balloon flight operated by Passageiros do Vento departed from near Monsaraz, Portugal. The aircraft, a PH-GVL hot air balloon, was carrying a pilot and 13 passengers for an estimated 90-minute sightseeing flight.
During the final descent phase, the pilot attempted to locate a suitable landing site near the ground crew. Unable to find an appropriate location, the pilot regained altitude. At approximately 08:15 UTC, while attempting to land on the northern bank of the Alqueva dam reservoir, the balloon was drifted by the wind into the water. Due to low remaining fuel, the pilot decided to ditch the basket in a shoal of the reservoir.
As the basket touched the water, the pilot requested that passengers assist in dragging the basket to shore. Amidst the unfolding situation, two passengers moved to the edge of the basket. The pilot reportedly insisted that the passengers jump into the water to assist. One passenger jumped into the water approximately 20 meters from the riverbank. The loss of weight caused the balloon to lift slightly, preventing the second passenger from jumping. The pilot then decided to take off again to attempt a landing on the opposite bank.
While the balloon continued its flight, the passenger who had entered the water attempted to swim to the shore. Later, the ground team located the passenger, who was found deceased in the water near the initial ditching site.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the pilot's training, meteorological conditions, and the sequence of events leading to the passenger's death. The investigation confirmed the pilot was highly experienced, with over 3,100 flight hours. Meteorological data indicated clear skies and light winds. The investigation classified the event as an accident and concluded that the combination of landing near a riverbank, the drifting of the basket, and the decision to call on passengers for assistance created a high-risk scenario.
Findings
- The pilot's decision-making and the choice of landing site contributed to the risk.
- The wind-driven drift of the basket into the water necessitated the emergency ditching.
- The request for passengers to exit the basket to assist with the maneuver placed them in a life-threatening position.
- The operator's risk analysis did not sufficiently account for the specific hazards of landing near water bodies where drifting is possible.
Safety action
Following the accident, the operator began a process to mitigate identified risks and declared it would equip balloons with life jackets for flights over water. The GPIAAF issued the following safety recommendations to the operator, Passageiros do Vento:
- PT.SIA 2024/03: Reinforce practical pilot training regarding landing and ditching procedures, specifically focusing on selecting adequate landing sites and avoiding locations with natural obstacles.
- PT.SIA 2024/04: Implement an effective occurrence reporting and analysis system to support the operation's risk assessment and mitigation matrix.