What happened
On 30 April 2019, an LBL 360A hot air balloon, registration G-LLGE, was conducting a commercial passenger flight near Little Sampton, Essex. The flight, carrying 14 passengers and one pilot, had been underway since 1825 BST. As the evening progressed, the pilot faced increasing pressure due to dwindling fuel levels and approaching sunset.
After several aborted landing attempts caused by shifting winds and the presence of power lines, the pilot identified a suitable grass field. During the final approach, the pilot deployed the aircraft's rapid deflation system at an altitude of approximately 5 feet. However, the basket failed to stop within the estimated 60-meter landing distance. The balloon continued to drag across the field, eventually tipping onto its side near a tree. The deflating envelope subsequently draped over a house and garage, resulting in minor damage to the property. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the functionality of the aircraft's Q-vent rapid deflation system. This system relies on the pilot pulling a red line to pull a parachute into the envelope, a process that requires sufficient slack in the candy stripe control line. The investigation found that the aircraft had recently undergone maintenance intended to lengthen this specific line to prevent tension issues caused by heat-induced shrinkage.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's pre-flight procedures. While the pilot performed a partial check of the deflation system, the full operational check—which involves ensuring enough slack exists for the line to feed into the envelope—was not completed, as doing so carries a risk of accidental deflation. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot's approach speed was higher than previous attempts due to the necessity of clearing power lines.