What happened
On April 5, 2025, an ULTRAMAGIC N-300 hot air balloon, registration EC-LDX, operated by VOL DE COLOMS, was conducting a commercial tourist flight. The flight departed from Santa Pau, Girona, carrying one pilot and twelve passengers. After approximately 60 minutes of flight, the balloon landed safely in the municipality of Olot.
Following the landing, the pilot and a ground assistant began the process of deflating the envelope. As they were working to deflate the balloon, a sudden change in wind direction caused the basket to capsize onto one of its long sides. During the rollover, three passengers located in the compartment furthest from the side of the impact were struck by the movement of the basket. This resulted in one serious injury and two minor injuries. The pilot and the remaining nine passengers were uninjured and were able to disembark the basket on their own, though the seriously injured passenger required assistance.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the sequence of events following the landing and the operational procedures of the operator. The investigation confirmed that the landing itself was smooth and that the pilot had followed standard safety protocols by turning off the burners and closing the gas valves to prevent fire. The passengers had adopted the recommended safety posture (crouching) during the landing, though they were not restrained by harnesses.
Investigators analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting that while surface winds were generally light, they were subject to frequent direction changes. The investigation also reviewed the operator's manual, noting that while the manual provided instructions for landing and passenger safety, it lacked specific details regarding the deflation process and the criteria for wearing helmets.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control of the balloon envelope during the deflation process due to a sudden shift in wind direction.
- The basket capsized while the ground crew and pilot were actively deflating the envelope after the aircraft had already come to a stop.
- The passengers were not restrained in the basket, which is standard for this type of operation, but were following landing instructions to crouch.
- The operator's manual did not clearly define the specific procedures for the deflation phase or the exact circumstances under which the use of a helmet is mandatory.