What happened
On the morning of March 2, 2024, a Kubicek BB51 hot air balloon, registered F-HRLY, departed from Praz-sur-Arly for a commercial sightseeing flight. The flight, operated by Airshow, carried a pilot and six passengers. After approximately 45 minutes of flight at altitudes between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, the pilot began a descent over the Passy plain.
During the descent, a shift in wind direction pushed the balloon toward the town of Sallanches. To avoid flying over the urban area and to manage increasing wind speeds, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. To avoid obstacles at the edge of the chosen landing site, the pilot increased the rate of descent. During this maneuver, the basket floor struck treetops, which slowed the balloon's progress. The pilot deployed the rapid deflation system at an estimated height of six meters, which was higher than the two-meter height recommended in the operating manual. The basket struck the ground with significant force, bounced, and subsequently tipped over.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight planning, meteorological data, and the sequence of the landing maneuver. The pilot, an experienced flyer with approximately 2,800 flight hours, had prepared a complete flight file including weather forecasts and weight calculations. Meteorological analysis confirmed that while initial forecasts were compatible with the flight, a change in wind direction occurred during the flight that was not predictable from the pre-flight charts. The investigation also reviewed the physical condition of the passengers and the mechanical operation of the rapid deflation system.