What happened
On May 18, 2013, a Cameron Balloon Z-105, registration F-GVTN, was conducting a scheduled passenger flight near Illhaeusern, France. During the flight, the pilot noted increasing winds and a shift in wind direction, prompting a decision to land in a clear field near Oberentzen.
As the aircraft descended to approximately 200 meters, the pilot initiated safety briefings regarding the landing position. During this time, one passenger informed the pilot that they were unable to adopt the required safety posture. The landing was executed with a horizontal speed of approximately 9 knots and very low vertical velocity. However, upon the initial impact, the basket rotated ninety degrees. Following this rotation, the basket bounced at least twice due to wind effects, exhibiting a pendulum motion before coming to a rest after traveling roughly 20 meters. The passenger, unable to maintain the prescribed position, sustained a serious injury to the right leg during the first impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the injury and the adequacy of the pre-flight safety procedures. The pilot had conducted both ground and in-flight briefings, demonstrating the required posture: knees bent, legs together, and hands gripping the basket handles.
It was determined that the injured passenger possessed a left hip prosthesis, which prevented them from adopting the necessary position and forced them to bear weight on their right leg. The investigation also noted that the basket floor was equipped with a 4 cm foam mat intended to absorb impact energy. While the pilot had access to meteorological data, the sudden change in wind conditions contributed to the basket's instability upon landing.
Findings
- The passenger underestimated the physical impact of the landing and failed to disclose their physical vulnerability to the pilot during the pre-flight briefing.
- The notification regarding the passenger's inability to adopt the safety position was provided too late in the landing sequence for the pilot to effectively adjust the landing plan or passenger arrangement.