What happened
On 2 overlap 28 October 2000, a Cameron A-180 hot air balloon, registration ZK-FAS, was conducting a local scenic flight near Taupo, New Zealand. The flight, operated by Balloons over Taupo, included one crew member and seven passengers. While the flight initially proceeded normally through the Waikato River valley, a sudden increase in wind speed and a shift in direction forced the pilot to seek an immediate landing site.
As the pilot approached a series of paddocks, he identified a suitable landing area but later discovered a 11-kilovolt power line at the far end of the field. In an attempt to extend the flight path to reach a subsequent paddock, the pilot applied maximum heat to the burners to climb. However, the balloon's descent rate and the timing of the maneuver meant the basket could not clear the obstacle. The basket struck and severed three power wires, causing electrical arcing before the pilot successfully vented the balloon to land in the following paddock. There were no injuries to the occupants, though the collision damaged the power lines and a utility pole.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the environmental factors contributing to the late detection of the hazard. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions, noting that the flight had progressed past the period of early morning calm, leading to unexpected wind intensity. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience with the specific Cameron A-180 model and the visibility constraints within the basket during the landing approach.
Findings
- The pilot was appropriately licensed but lacked significant experience operating the Cameron A-180.
- The collision was primarily caused by the late sighting of the power line, which led to a sudden decision to extend the landing approach.
- The pilot's failure to detect the wires earlier was likely due to a lack of an unobstructed view and preoccupation with managing the landing in windy conditions.
- The flight was conducted after the morning temperature inversion had broken, resulting in higher-than-anticipated wind speeds.
- The chosen launch site did not provide sufficient landing alternatives once the wind increased.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator implemented changes to ensure balloon liftoff occurs within 15 minutes of sunrise to utilize calmer winds. Additionally, launch site selection processes were updated to prioritize locations that offer a wider variety of landing options during unexpected weather shifts.