What happened
On July 31, 2015, a commercial sightseeing flight involving a Cameron Balloons Ltd Z-210 hot air balloon experienced a difficult landing in Sleidinge, Belgium. The flight, which began in the Netherlands, encountered higher wind speeds than originally anticipated. In an effort to reach a preferred landing site, the pilot descended rapidly after crossing an electrical line.
The descent resulted in a hard impact with the ground. The force of the landing caused the pilot to lose his balance and fall forward. During the impact, the basket tilted, and the pilot was partially caught underneath the structure. While the 9 passengers on board remained uninjured by maintaining the proper landing position, the pilot sustained multiple injuries, including fractures to his ribs, arm, collarbone, and ankle.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) investigation focused on the circumstances of the landing and the effectiveness of the pilot's safety equipment. Investigators examined the aircraft's technical specifications and the pilot's use of the restraint system.
It was established that although the pilot was wearing a manufacturer-prescribed harness, the equipment was improperly configured. Instead of being anchored to the floor of the basket, the harness was clipped to an anchor point located higher up on the sides of the basket. This configuration failed to prevent the pilot from being ejected from the basket during the sudden deceleration of the hard landing.