What happened
On June 22, 2014, a Cameron Balloons O-84 hot air balloon, registered F-GUTT, was conducting a sightseeing flight near Villeneuve-d’Aveyron. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, the pilot began preparations to land in a nearby field. While progressing northward, the pilot successfully navigated around an initial power line but failed to detect a low-voltage line positioned perpendicularly to the flight path until it was approximately 10 meters away.
Recognizing the imminent collision, the pilot instructed the passengers to crouch at the bottom of the basket and hold onto the handles. To mitigate the impact, the pilot activated the vent to accelerate the descent, aiming to ensure the power line struck the top of the balloon envelope rather than the basket or rigging. The line was severed upon contact, and the balloon underwent a hard landing. During the emergency maneuver, the pilot accidentally stepped on a passenger's foot, causing a serious injury.
The investigation
The BEA examined the pilot's actions and the visibility of the obstacle. The investigation established that the pilot had observed a different power line to the left of the flight path. Because the supporting pole on the right was obscured by trees, the pilot incorrectly assumed the line terminated at the left-hand pole and did not extend across the path.
Investigators also reviewed standard operating procedures for hot air balloons. The Cameron Balloons flight manual specifies that contact with power lines is extremely dangerous and must be avoided. However, if contact is unavoidable, the manual advises descending as rapidly as possible so that the impact occurs on the envelope to protect the occupants from electrical arcs or fire.