What happened
On October 21, 2017, at approximately 10:30 local time, an ULTRAMAGIC N-355 hot air balloon, registration EC-MAL, was performing a commercial sightseeing flight near Cervera, Lleida. The flight, operated by Globus Kon-Tiki, was in the final stages of its approach to a selected landing site when the pilot encountered an unexpected obstacle.
While executing the descent, the pilot detected a medium-voltage power line directly in the flight path. Despite an immediate evasive maneuver involving maximum burner output, the aircraft's suspension cables struck the electrical lines. The impact caused an electrical arc and severed four of the cables connecting the basket to the balloon envelope. Following the collision, the pilot performed a rapid descent to reach the ground as quickly as possible, eventually landing the balloon on a slope where the basket tipped over.
As a result of the electrical arc, one passenger sustained serious burns to the back. Additionally, the force of the landing caused five minor injuries among the other passengers.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's structural integrity, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and that the aircraft was airworthy with all required certifications in order. The weather conditions were within operational limits, though the position of the sun was noted as a factor affecting visibility.
Investigators analyzed the landing site selection, noting that while the pilot had identified several obstacles such as a railway and a highway during planning, the specific power line was not identified during the final approach. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions following the impact, concluding that the rapid descent was an attempt to stabilize the flight and reach the ground safely after the structural damage to the suspension cables.