What happened
On June 25, 2023, a Cameron A-160 hot air balloon, registered F-HNIJ, was conducting a commercial sightseeing flight near Valensole, France. The flight, operated by PACA’P Montgolfière, included the pilot and six passengers.
During the flight, the pilot attempted to land in the Asse valley but abandoned the approach after receiving radio warnings from other pilots that the landing site would make passenger retrieval impossible. Seeking an alternative site, the pilot flew low along the river, eventually deciding to gain altitude to clear two very-high-voltage power lines. During the flight, the pilot transitioned to a standby propane cylinder.
As the balloon continued its flight, the burner lost effectiveness due to the exhaustion of propane in the standby cylinder. While attempting to descend toward a field, the balloon lost altitude and collided with medium-voltage power lines. The envelope caught on a power line pole, and a steel suspension cable contacted the live wires, triggering an electric arc that struck the pilot. The impact caused the envelope to collapse and ignited a fire in the basket area. The pilot and passengers were evacuated after the basket reached the ground; the pilot subsequently lost consciousness.
The investigation
The BEA examined the aircraft, the flight logs, and the pilot's actions. Investigators reviewed the fuel levels in the four cylinders present in the basket, finding that three were empty and the fourth contained only 2% propane. The investigation also analyzed the meteorological conditions, the flight preparation, and the radio communications between the three balloons flying in the group. The investigators also looked into the pilot's experience and the operational procedures of the subcontracted operator.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of burner effectiveness due to the exhaustion of propane in the standby cylinder.
- The pilot's decision to abandon the initial landing site and seek an alternative led to an extended flight duration that exceeded the available fuel.
- The pilot had limited knowledge of the specific local terrain and constraints in the valley, which hindered the ability to anticipate landing difficulties.
- In-flight adaptations to differing weather conditions and radio communications from other pilots influenced the pilot to modify the original flight plan.
- There was an inadequate framework for managing flights involving multiple balloons from different operators, particularly regarding flight preparation and coordination.