What happened
On 23 March 2019, an ULTRAMAGIC - M120 hot air balloon, registration F-GPFB, was conducting a cross-country pleasure flight near Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse. The pilot, carrying three passengers, departed Le Pech at approximately 17:45. After roughly 40 minutes of flight, the pilot began searching for a suitable landing site as the area became increasingly wooded. An initial approach to a field near Saint-Laurent-la-Vallée was aborted due to the presence of high-voltage power lines.
The pilot eventually identified a target area in a field near Doissat. As the balloon descended at a rate of approximately 1.5 m/s, the pilot extinguished the pilot lights and alerted the passengers to an imminent landing. During the touchdown, the basket struck the ground with enough force to cause a bounce. The impact resulted in two passengers sustaining ankle injuries. The basket continued to travel for approximately 10 meters before coming to a complete stop.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's weight, and the pilot's actions. The ULTRAMAGIC - M120 was operating near its maximum allowable weight, with a takeoff weight of 824 kg against a limit of 850 kg. Investigators noted that the landing field featured a 5% upward slope, which added complexity to the approach.
The pilot provided testimony indicating that the onset of aeronautical night had created time pressure. While the pilot had provided safety instructions—including instructions to keep legs bent and feet flat—the pilot noted that the envelope had not been heated sufficiently prior to ground contact to dampen the impact of the landing.
Findings
- The pilot encountered difficulty locating a safe landing site due to dense woodland and the approaching onset of night.
- The landing was performed in a field with an upward slope that the pilot had not sufficiently anticipated.
- Insufficient heating of the envelope before ground contact prevented the pilot from softening the impact.
- The heavy impact, combined with the passengers likely tensing their muscles in anticipation of a hard landing, contributed to the ankle injuries sustained by two occupants.