What happened
On 8 April 2007, a Cameron Z-275 Balloon, registration G-TCAS, was conducting a commercial passenger flight near Northampton. The flight, which included 12 passengers, was intended to last approximately one hour. During the flight, the pilot identified a suitable landing area in a large field near Souldrop, Bedfordshire, after determining that the Santa Pod Raceway was unsuitable due to active vehicle use.
As the balloon approached the landing site, the pilot noted that the ground was smooth, dry, and hard, which presented a risk of significant dragging of the basket. To mitigate this, the pilot decided to use the rapid deflation system just before touchdown. This procedure increases the descent rate to shorten the landing distance.
As the balloon reached approximately 10 feet above the ground, the pilot pulled the red deflation line with both hands. Upon touchdown, the basket tilted forward onto its front. Because the pilot was not secured to the basket, he was ejected from the basket, which then passed over him. The basket dragged for approximately 35 metres before coming to a stop. The incident resulted in one serious injury to the crew and one minor injury to a passenger.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the landing sequence and the use of the rapid deflation system. It was established that while the passengers had correctly followed the landing briefing by adopting a braced position and holding onto handholds, the pilot had failed to follow the safety requirements regarding his own restraint.
Findings
- The pilot had not connected his safety harness to the restraint line, leaving him unsecured within the basket.
- The use of the rapid deflation line required the pilot to use both hands, which, combined with the lack of a safety connection, made him particularly vulnerable during the impact.
- The hard surface of the field provided no cushioning, contributing to the basket's sudden tilt and subsequent movement.