What happened
On September 14, 2013, an ULTRAMAGIC T210 hot air balloon, registration EC-JVU, was conducting a commercial tourist flight over Segovia, Spain. The flight began as planned with favorable winds, but during the flight over the city center, the wind conditions changed significantly, nearly coming to a complete standstill.
As the pilot attempted to navigate away from the urban area, shifting wind layers pushed the balloon back toward the city. An initial attempt to land near the Eresma River was aborted because the pilot identified high-voltage power lines in the descent path. Due to the lack of wind and dwindling fuel reserves—with only approximately 20 kg of propane remaining—the pilot determined that continuing over the city was too risky.
To avoid flying over densely populated residential areas, the pilot opted to land in a small, open area within the Recinto Ferial. The approach was constrained by a lamppost and a fire station building, necessitating a rapid vertical descent to clear the obstacles and fit within the limited landing zone. The balloon struck the hard, compacted ground with significant force, causing the basket to bounce. While the aircraft remained upright and undamaged, the impact resulted in one serious injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight trajectory, meteorological conditions, and passenger safety procedures. Investigators reviewed cockpit audio and passenger video, which confirmed the presence of vertical obstacles and the pilot's verbal warnings. The investigation also looked into the pilot's instructions provided during the pre-flight briefing and the passenger's physical positioning within the basket during the impact.