What happened
On 5 September 2004, a Cameron A-2/50 hot air balloon, registration G-BWKX, was conducting a commercial pleasure flight near South Stoke, West Sussex. The flight, which carried one crew member and nine passengers, departed from Hickstead showground for a planned one-hour excursion. While the initial weather forecast indicated light winds, the pilot observed increasing wind speeds during the flight, with GPS readings showing winds between 17 and 19 knots at 1,000 feet.
As the flight progressed, the pilot sought a suitable landing site. An initial approach to a field was abandoned due to the presence of trees and hedges and the high predicted ground speed. The pilot subsequently selected a field near a farm, approaching with a wind speed of approximately 12 to 14 knots. To manage the high speed, the pilot employed a shallow approach technique. Upon touchdown, the basket briefly rose into the air, cleared a boundary fence, and landed again, tipping onto its side. During the impact, one passenger sustained serious injuries, specifically fractures to both legs, despite having followed the prescribed landing position instructions.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight's progression, the weather conditions, and the landing procedures. The pilot had briefed all passengers on the necessity of sitting with their backs against the wicker and knees bent to mitigate impact. The investigation also reviewed a video recording provided by the injured passenger, which corroborated the pilot's account of the flight and the pre-flight safety briefings.
Findings
- The landing occurred at an unexpectedly high ground speed.
- Local wind effects and gusting contributed to the increased speed during the final approach.
- The passenger had been positioned correctly according to the safety briefing, yet still sustained injuries due to the force of the touchdown.