What happened
On June 26, 1998, a commercial hot air balloon flight departed from Wermelskirchen-Rattenberg carrying 11 passengers and one crew member. During the flight, the pilot attempted several landings due to changing wind conditions. During a landing attempt near Kückelhausen, the balloon's envelope struck the arm of a construction crane, resulting in a 3.50-meter tear in the fabric.
Following the puncture, the balloon continued its flight path toward Hagen. The damage caused a significant increase in propane consumption. As the aircraft moved over the Hagen-Wehringhausen area, it struck a chimney and a mobile communications antenna on a high-rise building. Having exhausted the remaining propane supply, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, leading to an uncontrolled descent. The basket eventually collided with a fir tree in a residential garden before striking a house wall, causing structural damage to the building. The impact resulted in 3 serious injuries and 6 minor injuries among the passengers.
The investigation
Investigators examined the Cameron hot air balloon at an aviation company's hangar, supported by local police who assisted with witness interviews. The investigation reviewed weather advisories obtained prior to takeoff, which had warned of shifting winds and potential turbulence. The technical examination of the aircraft confirmed the envelope tear and noted additional damage sustained during recovery. Investigators also verified that the five gas cylinders were empty at the time of the incident and that the aircraft had been loaded to its maximum capacity for the prevailing temperatures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's inability to execute a safe landing before reaching the urban area of Hagen, leading to the initial collision with the crane.
- The puncture in the envelope caused an accelerated depletion of the propane supply.
- The pilot's decision-making was hindered by high stress levels, stemming from the envelope damage, the lack of fuel, and the responsibility for 11 passengers.
- The pilot lacked the required flight hours and specific training/endorsements mandated by the operator's manual for this class of balloon.
- The pilot's German language proficiency had previously been rated as unsatisfactory by authorities.