What happened
On March 8, 2020, an Ultramagic H77 hot air balloon, registration EC-GZR, was participating in the XXI King's Cup of Aerostatics. After completing the first target of the competition, the pilot and a passenger decided to voluntarily withdraw from the event and land in a field near Palomary del Río, Seville.
During the final approach, the pilot encountered obstacles, including a 12-meter-high power line and a nearby stream, which limited the available landing area. The landing was executed with high horizontal energy. Upon contact with the ground, the basket dragged for approximately 20 meters. The force of the impact caused the pilot to be thrown from the basket while attempting to manage the parachute lines.
While the pilot was outside the basket attempting to deflate the envelope, the balloon suddenly lifted again. The basket struck the pilot in the chest and face, and his right foot became entangled in the parachute lines, causing further injury. The passenger, who remained in the basket, was able to stop the balloon and finish deflating the envelope.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight path, the landing site selection, and the aircraft's configuration. The investigation noted that the pilot was positioned between the fuel bottles and the side of the basket, as was common practice, but was not wearing a restraint system. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, which were favorable, and the technical specifications of the Ultramagics H77.
Findings
- The pilot chose an improvised landing site that presented significant obstacles, specifically the nearby power lines and the stream.
- The landing involved high horizontal velocity at the moment of touchdown.
- The pilot was not using a restraint system, which would have prevented him from being thrown from the basket.
- The pilot's hands were occupied with controlling the balloon lines, making it difficult to maintain a secure grip on the basket during the impact.