Hot Air Balloon Passenger Dragged by Wind After Hard Landing in Sweden

Casualties unknown • Accident with the hot-air balloon SE-ZOU at Nynäs Säteri, Örebro län, SE

A commercial hot air balloon flight in south central Sweden ended in a series of hard landings and a passenger being dragged behind the basket after hitting power lines.

What happened

A commercial hot air balloon flight in south central Sweden, intended to be a one-hour experience for two passengers, ended in a sequence of dangerous events following a sudden change in weather. While the flight began under favorable conditions, the approach of a cold front brought heavy fog, prompting the pilot to abort the flight and seek an alternative landing site.

Upon attempting to land at a new location, the balloon experienced a very hard touchdown characterized by high descent rates and speed. During this impact, the pilot inadvertently engaged the burners at full power, causing the balloon to climb unexpectedly. A second hard touchdown occurred approximately 1,0-00 meters later, during which the basket dragged along the ground. During this phase, the rapid deflation system was not utilized.

As the balloon continued to move, the pilot fell from the basket, leaving the two passengers in control. After attempting to descend by using the top vent, the passengers decided to exit the balloon. During the evacuation, one passenger was briefly pinned between the basket and the ground, while the second passenger became entangled in an operating line. This passenger was dragged behind the balloon for several hundred meters until the aircraft drifted into a power line and came to a halt. The incident resulted in two serious injuries and one minor injury.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the timing of the flight relative to the approaching weather front and the safety protocols in place during the landing. Investigators examined the pilot's decision-making regarding the narrowing window of safe flying weather and the lack of use of the rapid deflation system during the second impact. Additionally, the investigation looked into the pilot's failure to wear a safety harness during the hard landing and the subsequent loss of control when the pilot fell from the basket.

Findings

  • The flight was scheduled with an insufficient time margin between the planned completion and the arrival of significant weather conditions.
  • The high speed and steep descent rate during landing led to severe impacts.
  • The pilot's fall from the basket during the first hard landing resulted in a loss of flight control.
  • The rapid deflation system was not activated during the second touchdown.

Probable cause

The accident was driven by a lack of adequate time margin between the flight plan and forecasted deteriorating weather, combined with high-speed landings that caused the pilot to fall from the basket and the passengers to become entangled in equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-05-10 aircraft accident near Accident with the hot-air balloon SE-ZOU at Nynäs Säteri, Örebro län, SE?

A commercial hot air balloon flight in south central Sweden ended in a series of hard landings and a passenger being dragged behind the basket after hitting power lines.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-05-10 involved a aircraft, registration SE-ZOU, at Accident with the hot-air balloon SE-ZOU at Nynäs Säteri, Örebro län, SE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was driven by a lack of adequate time margin between the flight plan and forecasted deteriorating weather, combined with high-speed landings that caused the pilot to fall from the basket and the passengers to become entangled in equipment.

Loading the flight search…