What happened
On June 8, 2014, a pilot operating an Ultramagic S130 hot air balloon, registration F-GMBP, was conducting a sightseeing flight near Torjonas, France. The flight included the pilot and four passengers. After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot observed via GPS that wind speeds had increased to between 6 and 8 knots.
To prepare for landing, the pilot instructed the passengers to adopt a pre-briefed safety position and selected a clear field free of obstacles. During the landing sequence, the pilot slowed the balloon by making contact with treetops and utilized the Rapid Deflation System (RDS). The balloon made a hard landing, bounced, and the basket subsequently tipped onto its side upon a second contact with the ground. During the impact, one passenger was injured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the pilot's experience, and the aircraft's operational procedures. At the time of the landing, winds were estimated at 8 knots from the southeast, with gusts up to 16 knots. The pilot, who had been licensed since 2006 with 236 total flight hours, had planned the flight based on favorable morning forecasts and a pre-flight weight and balance calculation.
Investigators reviewed the flight manual, which notes that while the RDS can facilitate quick deflation, its use can lead to higher vertical speeds and harder landings. The investigation also looked into the safety briefing provided to passengers. While the pilot had briefed the passengers in-flight on the safety position, no physical demonstration or practice session had been conducted on the ground prior to takeoff.
Findings
- The pilot was aware of the increasing wind speeds and the potential risk of a basket rollover, as evidenced by the specific instructions given to the passengers.
- The wind speeds were near the operational limits specified in the flight manual but remained within the permitted range.
- The lack of ground-based training or physical practice meant the pilot could not verify that the passengers were capable of correctly executing the required safety position during the impact.