What happened
On 20 September 2019, an Ultramagic S-90 hot air balloon, registered F-HURE, was conducting a sightseeing flight near Saint-Denis-sur-Loire. The flight, operated by Au Gré Des Vents, carried a pilot and two passengers. After approximately 40 minutes of flight over the Loire river, the pilot selected a ploughed field for landing.
Prior to touchdown, the pilot briefed the passengers on landing procedures, instructing them to bend their knees, remain flexible, and hold onto the basket handles. As the balloon landed, the basket began to tilt due to wind conditions. During this movement, the pilot reached for the deflation port line. In the process, the pilot's foot landed on the ankle of the passenger positioned in the second seat, whose feet had slid toward the center of the basket. The impact resulted in one passenger sustaining a severe fracture to the left ankle and lower leg.
Following the tilt, the basket slid several meters across the field before coming to a complete rest and tipping over. Emergency services attended to the injured passenger at the scene.
The investigation
The BEA examined the pilot's statements, the passenger's medical reports, and the aircraft's flight data. The investigation reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he was a highly experienced instructor with over 1,500 flight hours. The investigators also analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting that while surface winds were low, stronger winds were present in the lower atmospheric layers during the approach.
Furthermore, the investigation assessed the passenger positioning within the rectangular Schroeder type III basket. The pilot had positioned the passengers according to safety guidelines, placing the heavier passenger at the rear and the lighter passenger at an angle to prevent them from being trapped if the basket overturned. The investigators also reviewed the basket's flight manual, which notes that passengers often struggle to maintain stability during landings when winds reach 10 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injury was the basket tilting during landing, which destabilized the occupants.
- Wind conditions in the lower layers caused the basket to tilt and slide, making it difficult for passengers to maintain their footing.
- The pilot's need to manage the burner and deflation lines prevented him from using his hands to brace himself, forcing him to rely on his legs for stability.
- The passenger's feet naturally slid toward the center of the basket during the impact, placing them directly in the path of the pilot's movement.