What happened
On August 10, 2003, at approximately 20:15, a Cameron Balloons N 145 hot air balloon, registered F-GMGV, was conducting a training flight near Forges-les-Eaux. The flight, which included an instructor, a student pilot, and five passengers, departed from the takeoff field at approximately 19:45.
During the flight, the balloon ascended to 150 meters on a heading of 230 degrees. After roughly twenty minutes of flight, the wind direction and intensity shifted unexpectedly. The instructor took control of the aircraft and attempted to climb to 200 meters using the burners to find more favorable wind conditions, but the effort was unsuccessful. The balloon subsequently descended back to 1ered 150 meters and encountered heavy turbulence that pushed the aircraft back toward the original takeoff field.
As the balloon drifted toward a medium-voltage power line located within the takeoff field, the instructor determined that a collision was unavoidable. To prevent the basket or suspension lines from striking the wires, the instructor initiated a rapid deflation command. The basket struck the ground with significant force, causing the student pilot to be ejected from the craft, while the envelope made contact with the power lines. The incident resulted in one injury to the student pilot and damage to the balloon's envelope.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the flight sequence, and the pilot's decision-making process. Prior to takeoff, the instructor had verified weather information from Lille Lesquin, which indicated variable winds under 10 knots, and had performed a helium balloon test that suggested favorable conditions.
The instructor also noted that he had instructed passengers on safety protocols for landing and had directed them to crouch at the bottom of the basket once the collision became imminent. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision not to land earlier, noting that the surrounding fields did not appear suitable for a landing at that time.