What happened
On May 19, 2013, a commercial hot air balloon flight departed from the "Fegetasche Plön" launch site with a pilot and nine passengers on board. The flight began at 19:37 local time under visual meteorological conditions, with the pilot having initially identified a northeast drift of approximately three to four knots.
As the Cameron A-210 progressed through its flight, the trajectory changed significantly. After passing over the Höftsee and Lake Behler, the balloon began a continuous descent. The pilot had originally intended to land on a spit of land between Lake Behler and Suwen See; however, a herd of cattle on the landing field prevented this maneuver.
As the flight continued, wind conditions shifted. While the pilot attempted to locate a new landing site near a sports field north of Bösdorf, the wind became nearly calm, causing the balloon to gain altitude and drift southward. The pilot then sought a landing spot within the Hohenrather Forst area but ruled out a forest landing. Between 20:45 and 21:27, the balloon traveled 1,600 meters through varying altitudes and directions. By 21:27, three minutes after sunset, the balloon was over the water of Suhrer See. Due to the lack of suitable land and insufficient remaining gas to reach the shore, the pilot performed an emergency water landing.
The investigation
The BFU investigation analyzed flight data, including GPS records, to establish the balloon's flight path, altitude, and drift direction. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, flight experience, and meteorological preparations. The pilot had extensive experience, with over 1,400 total flight hours, and was familiar with the local lake landscape. The investigation confirmed that the balloon's equipment, including the Lindstrand basket and burner, was functional and that the pilot had maintained radio contact with the recovery team throughout the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency landing was the inability to secure a suitable landing site due to changing wind directions and the loss of wind during the approach to intended landing areas.
- An unexpected obstacle, a herd of cattle, prevented the pilot's first planned landing.
- A lack of remaining fuel (gas) prevented the pilot from maintaining enough altitude to reach the shore for a controlled landing on land.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the nine passengers, and no damage was sustained by the aircraft or third parties.