What happened
On the evening of August 11, 2007, a C-GDCG hot air balloon, operated by Sundance Balloons (2008) Ltd., departed from Carleton University in Ottawa for a local sightseeing flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and 12 passengers. While flying at approximately 700 feet above ground level, the balloon encountered turbulence, likely associated with nearby towering cumulus clouds.
In response to the unstable conditions, the pilot attempted a precautionary landing. During this descent, a significant sink rate developed, forcing the pilot to use all three burners to prevent the balloon from hitting the ground. The intense heat and the deformation of the balloon's lower edge caused the envelope to contact the burner flame, resulting in several panels catching fire. Although the fire self-extinguished once the flame was removed, the basket struck the tops of trees at low altitude before the balloon climbed back to 1000 feet.
Concerned by the turbulence and the damaged state of the envelope, the pilot attempted a second precautionary landing. Rather than extending the flight to a more suitable location, the pilot chose to land in a residential area. During this final descent, the balloon struck two trees and came to rest on a lawn. While passengers were instructed to brace themselves according to company procedures, the landing occurred in a residential setting where emergency services were already present due to reports of the fire.
The investigation
The TSB examined the weather conditions, the pilot's decision-making, and the regulatory framework governing commercial balloon operations. The investigation established that the pilot had checked weather reports prior to departure, which indicated light winds, though later reports showed developing cloud activity. The investigation also reviewed the operator's manual, noting it lacked specific instructions for emergency landings involving trees.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was localized turbulence that prompted the initial precautionary landing and subsequent high sink rate.
- The contact between the burner flame and the envelope was caused by the deformation of the lower third of the leading edge during the rapid descent.
- The pilot's decision to land in a residential area was driven by concerns regarding the ongoing turbulence and the integrity of the envelope.
- The pilot did not explicitly communicate the emergency nature of the landing to Air Traffic Services and declined offered assistance, which could have delayed emergency response.
- A lack of specific emergency procedures in the company manual meant passengers were not prepared for the specific hazards of a tree-strike landing.
- There is a lack of regulatory oversight for commercial balloon operations in Canada compared to other aircraft of similar passenger capacity, potentially compromising safety standards.