What happened
On 10 November 2014, a sightseeing flight operated by Balloon Adventures Emirates ended in an accident near Margham, Dubai. The aircraft, a Cameron A-450LW with registration A6-BAR, was carrying one pilot and 21 passengers at the time of the occurrence.
While the flight itself proceeded without incident, the landing phase involved several bounces. During the second bounce, a 25-year-old female passenger lost her balance and was ejected from the basket, falling to the desert ground. The impact resulted in a serious injury consisting of a fractured back. The pilot was unaware that the passenger had fallen until the balloon had come to a complete stop.
The investigation
An investigation by the GCAA AAIS established that the aircraft was airworthy and that all flight parameters, including wind speed and sink rate, were within the limits specified in the flight manual. The pilot had conducted a safety briefing prior to takeoff, demonstrating the correct landing position and the use of safety harnesses.
Investigators reviewed in-flight video and GPS data, which confirmed that the pilot had provided the necessary instructions. The investigation also examined the passenger's actions, noting that while the passenger understood the instructions, she did not expect the intensity of the landing impact.