What happened
On 19 July 2013, a Cameron Z-275 balloon, registration G-VBFT, was conducting a commercial passenger flight near Lanark, South Lanarkshire. The flight began in calm weather conditions, reaching an altitude of approximately 3,500 ft. After nearly an hour of flight, the pilot selected a landing site located in a field situated beyond a railway line, a tree line, and a minor road.
As the balloon approached the landing area, it passed over a line of trees at an altitude of 50 ft. While the initial descent rate was 10 kt, the speed increased to 13 kt, triggering an unexpected descent that the pilot could not arrest. In response to the descending craft, the pilot instructed the ten passengers to adopt landing positions. During the final approach, the basket struck a fence located on an embankment, followed by a second strike against another fence on the far side of a road. The second impact involved a solid post, which caused damage to the basket frame. The balloon eventually came to a halt approximately 30 m into the intended field.
The investigation
The investigation examined the descent profile and the impact sequence. It was established that the basket made contact with two separate fences. The first fence was located on an embankment, and the second, which was higher than the first, contained a solid post that directly impacted the basket frame. Following the landing, the pilot assessed the passengers, noting that several individuals had sustained knocks and bruises. Medical services were summoned for some of the passengers, though those requiring hospital treatment were subsequently discharged.
Findings
- The descent rate of the Cameron Z-275 increased from 10 kt to 13 kt during the final stages of the approach.
- The pilot was unable to stop the unexpected descent.
- The basket sustained damage to its frame due to contact with a solid post in the second fence line.
- There were 7 minor injuries among the passengers and one minor injury to the crew.