What happened
On October 8, 2022, a Kubicek BB120P hot air balloon, registration EC-NCE, was conducting a commercial sightseeing flight near Segovia, Spain. The aircraft, operated by Siempre en las Nubes, S.L., was carrying one pilot and 18 passengers.
During the landing phase in the municipality of Encinillas, the pilot performed a low approach to utilize the available landing area. As the balloon neared the ground, the pilot identified a small terrain unevenness that had not been visible from a higher altitude. The basket made a sudden impact with this elevation, causing the balloon to bounce several meters into the air before hitting the ground again, resulting in the basket dragging and overturning.
While the pilot and most passengers were uninjured, one passenger sustained a broken rib. Although no injuries were reported immediately following the landing, the passenger later sought medical attention, leading to the formal accident report.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight video, GPS tracks, and maintenance records. The investigation established that the aircraft was fully operational, properly maintained, and within its weight limits for the flight. The pilot had provided a thorough safety briefing both on the ground and immediately before touchdown, specifically instructing passengers to adopt a secure landing position by bracing their backs against the basket walls.
Video analysis revealed that while most passengers followed these instructions, the injured passenger failed to adopt the required position. At the time of impact, the passenger was attending to a companion in an accessible seat and was leaning against the specialized chair rather than the basket wall. The investigation concluded that the impact with the chair was the source of the injury.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injury was the failure of a passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding the landing position.
- The pilot's decision to perform a low approach contributed to the sudden encounter with the terrain unevenness.
- The aircraft and all safety systems were in good working order.
- The landing site met the operator's requirements for a suitable landing area.