What happened
On November 8, 1998, at approximately 09:30, a Cameron N 90 hot air balloon, registered F-GTYT, was conducting a passenger flight departing from Châtellerault. During the flight, the pilot decided to terminate the mission and land due to deteriorating weather conditions.
While initiating the descent, the pilot selected a landing path that appeared suitable from an oblique perspective. However, the intended landing site was actually a ditch measuring over three meters wide and two meters deep. As the basket struck the edge of the ditch, the impact caused the pilot and two of the three passengers to be ejected from the gondola.
Following the impact, the sudden loss of weight caused the balloon to ascend once again. The pilot attempted to regain control of the aircraft while instructing the remaining passenger to operate the vent valve. Although the descent was eventually stabilized, the balloon's envelope struck a 20,000-volt power line, causing minor burns to the fabric. Additionally, the cables supporting the basket severed a telephone line during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the visual assessment of the landing site. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions at the time, which included winds from 160° to 200° at 8 to 10 knots with gusts up to 15 knots, and visibility exceeding 10 km. The inquiry established that the pilot's perception of the terrain was compromised by the angle of view during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the misperception of the landing site due to the oblique viewing angle of the ditch.
- The impact with the ditch bank led to the ejection of three occupants.
- The subsequent ascent and descent resulted in damage to the balloon's envelope and the destruction of electrical and telephone infrastructure.