What happened
On 17 June 2017, a Cameron Z-275 balloon, registered G-CCNC, was conducting a commercial passenger flight near Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. During the descent, the pilot identified a potential landing site and a secondary reserve site. While attempting to descend toward the primary chosen field, the pilot determined that the aircraft could land in a different field located three fields away.
As the balloon approached the ground, the landing was significantly heavier than anticipated. The impact caused one passenger to experience pain, prompting another passenger to turn toward her. During this movement, the passenger lost their footing and fell from the basket. At the time, surface winds were causing the balloon basket to drag across the ground. Although the balloon briefly became airborne again, it eventually came to rest safely at the pre-identified reserve landing site.
The investigation
The investigation was based on an aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry examined the sequence of events leading to the heavy touchdown and the subsequent passenger fall. The investigation noted that the pilot had already established a landing plan for a specific field before deciding to alter the descent toward the first field during the approach.
Findings
- The landing was harder than the commander had expected.
- The passenger fell from the basket because they lost their grip while reacting to another passenger's distress.
- The pilot's decision to change the intended landing field at a low altitude was identified as the primary factor leading to the incident.
- The impact resulted in 4 minor injuries among the passengers, including bruising to the ribs for one individual.