What happened
On December 29, 2015, a commercial hot air balloon flight was conducting take-off procedures from the Grote Markt in Sint Niklaas, Belgium. During the launch of a Cameron Hot Air Balloon A-210, high winds required the ground crew to exert significant effort to hold the basket in place. During this process, an unidentified individual—not part of the crew or the eight passengers—grabbed onto one of the basket mounts.
As the balloon ascended, the person remained hanging on the exterior of the basket. While the flight was underway, the passengers assisted the individual in climbing into the basket. The ground crew attempted to remove the person by shouting and physically trying to pull them away from the basket, but the takeoff proceeded with the stowaway on board. Following the flight, the individual was transported to a local police station. It was noted that the person spoke only Arabic and was unfamiliar with the local languages.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) examined the launch site, the roles of the ground personnel, and the existing regulatory framework for the Sint Niklaas launch area. The investigation reviewed video footage of the event and analyzed the responsibilities of the airfield commander and the pilot. Investigators also looked into the compliance of the launch with local police regulations and the GDF-07 circular, which governs air shows and balloon operations.
Findings
- The pilot maintained a valid commercial license.
- The intentions of the stowaway were unclear; the individual had been assisting the ground crew with the basket for some time prior to the takeoff without being dismissed.
- Supervision of the launch area was insufficient, as the airfield commander was not clearly identifiable and was acting more as an assistant than a supervisor.
- The presence of unauthorized bystanders was difficult to manage because the launch area lacked physical barriers, such as fences, to separate the public from the flight operations.
- The stowaway's inability to communicate in local languages hindered immediate coordination during the incident.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, the AAIU(Be) issued Safety Recommendation BE-2017-13. The investigators recommended that local authorities and police amend the regulations for the Sint Niklaas launch field. Specifically, the recommendation suggests clearly marking restricted zones around the balloons using portable, pliable safety cones to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the report emphasizes that airfield commanders must be clearly recognizable, such as by wearing high-visibility clothing with their official titles, to ensure they can effectively enforce safety boundaries.