What happened
On September 9, 2009, at 19:50, an Ultra Magic N 210 hot air balloon, registered F-GVPB, was conducting a recreational sightseeing flight. The flight departed from a field in Challanges with a pilot and eight passengers. After approximately 75 minutes of flight, the pilot decided to land in a large, fallow field located in Mellecey.
The chosen landing site was situated behind a medium-voltage power line and in front of a vineyard. As the balloon descended, the pilot identified two intersecting power lines. During the final stages of the descent, the pilot realized that one of these lines extended westward directly across the balloon's flight path. In an attempt to mitigate the risk, the pilot released air from the envelope to induce a rapid descent. However, the basket made contact with the ground approximately thirty meters before reaching the identified line and began to slide. The lower portion of the balloon envelope subsequently struck the power line, resulting in three successive electrical arcs.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the approach to the landing site and the visibility conditions. The pilot noted that the low light levels, with the sun positioned behind hills to the right of the trajectory, made it difficult to distinguish a power line pylon located within a vineyard. The pilot also indicated that while they frequently land shortly before the onset of aeronautical night, they were not intimately familiar with this specific area of the region.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the selection of a flight path that failed to maintain adequate safety margins regarding the clearance of obstacles.
- Low light levels contributed to the late detection of the power line pended in the vineyard.
- There were no injuries reported among the nine occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage.