What happened
On March 27, 2011, an Ultramagic T-180 hot air balloon, registration EC-IQF, operated by Glovento Sur, was conducting a scheduled commercial tourist flight near Guadix, Spain. Although the flight was originally planned to depart from Granada, a weather assessment earlier that morning led the pilot to relocate the takeoff to Guadix to avoid difficult recovery zones.
During the flight, which began at 10:00 h, the wind speed began to increase significantly. As the balloon traveled through the Zalabí Valley, the pilot encountered a high-voltage power line positioned directly in the flight path. Because the wind was blowing the balloon toward the cables, the pilot attempted an ascent to change the flight path; however, upon descending, the balloon was again pushed toward the power lines.
Facing the imminent danger of colliding with the electrical lines or drifting into a nearby wind farm containing numerous wind turbines, the pilot decided to perform an immediate emergency landing between the two parallel power lines. The landing was forceful, and the balloon dragged across the ground for approximately 170 meters. During the impact and subsequent drag, three passengers were ejected from the basket, sustaining significant injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight sequence, meteorological data, and the pilot's decision-making process. The investigation established that the flight was delayed by approximately two hours due to the change in takeoff location. This delay meant the flight coincided with a period of increasing thermal winds, which are common in the region as solar radiation increases throughout the morning.
Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance and the pilot's credentials, finding the pilot was properly licensed and qualified. The investigation also analyzed the use of the Rapid Deflation System (FDS), noting that the pilot activated it at approximately 6 meters above the ground, which was within the operational limits specified in the flight manual.