History of the Flight
On 7 July 2019, a commercial sightseeing flight was conducted by pilot of the KUBICEK BB45Z hot air balloon, registered F-HOAX, operated by B2O Passager du Vent. The pilot, who held a free balloon pilot license and an instructor rating, had logged 687 ascents including 52 in the last three months. The balloon took off at 05:50 from a field near Puimoisson aerodrome, following two other balloons. Initially, the balloon traveled southwest at low altitude and low speed due to a north-northeasterly wind of 10 to 15 km/h. After about one hour, the balloon became nearly stationary over Riez. The pilot descended but then climbed to find wind, and the balloon began moving northeast, accelerating to about 50 km/h toward a dark cloud mass. The pilot decided to abort the flight and make an emergency landing.
Emergency Landing and Consequences
The pilot identified a field free of obstacles, repeated safety instructions, turned off pilot lights, and landed at high speed in a cultivated field. The basket struck the ground hard, bounced, travelled 145 meters, rotated 180°, struck again, bounced, turned onto its side, and dragged through tall grass. The pilot pulled the rapid deflation line, and the balloon stopped. Occupants evacuated. After retrieval, a passenger reported foot pain and could not walk, suffering fractures to tibia, fibula, right ankle, and ribs. A second passenger had a twisted ankle, another a suspected cracked rib. The flight to Riez took over one hour; the return flight to the landing site, about two kilometers from take-off, took about ten minutes.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot had an instructor rating and an air operator certificate since July 2017. The balloon flight manual stated maximum surface wind speed for landing not exceed 14.6 kt (27 km/h) and no flying if storm activity or severe phenomena forecast. The balloon was equipped with a Lindstrand BA-12-A-001 rattan rectangular basket with compartments, shock-absorbing foam mat, padded walls, and rope handles.
Meteorological Conditions
The pilot prepared the flight around 04:30, checking meteorological information. The France SIGWX chart was not yet available. The Avignon TAF had been amended overnight; at 04:30 it indicated storm cells from 16:00 only. Another TAF amendment at 05:35 noted storm development from 05:00, but pilots were unaware due to pre-flight preparations. SIGMET messages announced stationary storm cells (04:00-06:00) and moving cells (06:00-08:00), but these were not consulted. The pilot used the AROME model and other websites, deeming forecasts perfect for 06:00-08:00: northerly surface wind less than 5 kt, northwest wind 10 kt at altitude, no clouds. They did not consult infrared images. At the site, the pilot viewed radar images showing precipitation in Arles and Nîmes, deemed acceptable due to distance. A helium balloon released prior to take-off indicated still air. The sky initially clear, but a dark cloud mass developed later.