What happened
On October 10, 2010, during the final day of an international hot air balloon rally near Paestum, Italy, a Llopis Balloons Sarl MA 3/000 with registration F-HDMS experienced a high-energy landing. The flight, which included the pilot and three passengers, had been operating under a pre-planned route suggested by the rally director.
After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot observed the movement of other nearby balloons and noted via GPS that ground wind conditions had changed. Believing that wind intensity near the ground had increased significantly, the pilot decided to deviate from the original landing site—which contained numerous obstacles—in favor of a large, recently plowed field.
As the aircraft approached the ground, the pilot noted a ground speed of approximately 40 km/h and instructed passengers to hold tightly to the safety handles. The basket struck the ground with significant force, bounced, and then struck the ground a second time before being dragged for approximately 20 meters until the envelope fully deflated. While the aircraft sustained no damage, two passengers sustained injuries during the impact.
The investigation
The ANSV examined the meteorological conditions, the pilot's flight path, and the sequence of the landing. The investigation reviewed weather reports from nearby stations in Capo Palinuro and Naples, which showed relatively light winds, though the investigation noted that local-scale weather phenomena could not be ruled out. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he was a highly experienced flyer with approximately 1,600 hours in free balloons. The investigation also looked into the nature of the flight, noting that while the pilot believed it was a purely tourist flight, two passengers had provided a contribution to the rally organizers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the violent impact of the basket with the ground.
- A contributing factor may have been the occurrence of local meteorological phenomena that caused a significant increase in wind intensity, making the balloon difficult to control during the landing phase.
- The force of the initial impact likely caused the injured passengers to lose their grip on the safety handles.