Flight History
On 9 March 2026, the pilot and ground crew prepared the balloon for take-off in a meadow in Zatonie (coordinates: 51°52'02" N; 15°33'40" E). The balloon departed at 06:12 UTC, with the pilot and two passengers on board. The intended landing site was the EPZP airfield north of Zielona Góra city centre.
After take-off, the balloon flew north towards the city centre at a relative altitude of up to approximately 475 m AGL. Over compact built-up areas, it began a gradual descent. After leveling off, it flew low over the helipad of a hospital in Zielona Góra (51°56'28" N; 15°31'06" E) at about 9 m/s on a course of 336°. The balloon then descended approximately 20 m and turned slightly left.
Approximately 270 m from the helipad, at 06:32 UTC, the basket struck the wall of the 11th floor of a building at ul. Bolesława Krzywoustego 28-30 in Zielona Góra (51°56'37" N; 15°30'59" E). The horizontal velocity at impact was about 7.5 m/s. The balloon was then pulled across the roof edge, and the pilot fell out onto the roof. The balloon, with the two passengers still in the basket, ascended and landed at ul. Sulechowska 1 (51°56'46" N; 15°30'55" E) at 06:33 UTC, about 330 m from the building. The basket stopped near a stationary bus, and the envelope fell onto a tree. One passenger later closed the gas cylinder and pilot burner valves.
Injuries to Persons
According to the preliminary report, the pilot was found deceased on the roof. The two passengers on board sustained minor or no injuries.
Crew Information
The pilot held a balloon flight crew licence (PL.BFCL) issued on 6 May 2025, for hot air balloons (Group A). A valid aero-medical certificate (Class 1, 2 and LPL) was held on the day of the accident.
Aircraft Information
- Manufacturer: Kubicek Factory s. r. o.
- Type: Kubicek BB 22M
- Serial number: 2502
- Registration: SP-BZG
- Registration certificate issued: 14 April 2025
- Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA): valid, issued 29 April 2025
- Airworthiness review certificate (ARC): issued 29 April 2025, valid until 28 April 2026
- Radio license: valid until 29 April 2035
- Total flight time: 135:50 FH
- Last maintenance: 3 September 2025; flight time since: 39 FH
- Sufficient fuel was on board for the planned flight.
Damage to the Aircraft
A visual inspection revealed significant damage. Mechanical and thermal damage to the envelope was caused by the collision with the building and from falling onto a tree after landing. The basket was significantly damaged from the building impact. The top ring of one cylinder and the burner supports were also damaged. No other damage or malfunctions were noted.
Other Material Information
After the accident, a search for the pilot located them on the roof; medical rescue was initiated, but the pilot had died at the scene. Flight parameters were recorded by a DBI3 flight instrument and the pilot's tablet; these will be used for further analysis.
Investigation Actions
The State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL) conducted a visual inspection of the site and the balloon, functional tests of the fuel system and burners, read DBI3 and navigation tablet records, and reviewed police accident files. As of the date of the preliminary report, no safety recommendations have been issued.