What happened
On May 10, 2008, a Kubicek BB42Z hot air balloon, registered as PH-PPJ, was conducting an overland flight from Ochtrup, Germany, toward the Netherlands. The flight included the pilot and five passengers. After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot sought a suitable landing site after two previous locations were deemed unsuitable.
As the balloon approached the third intended landing site near Sint Isidorushoe and the basket was descending, a passenger alerted the pilot to the presence of high-voltage power lines. The pilot, who had not spotted the cables, immediately pulled the parachute line to initiate a rapid descent. The basket struck the ground forcefully and slid several dozen meters before coming to a halt. While the occupants escaped without injury, the balloon envelope was blown by the wind into the power lines. When two passengers attempted to pull the balloon away from the cables, the lines made contact, creating sparks that caused fire damage to the balloon envelope. The fire extinguished after the balloon settled on the ground.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's visibility and the procedures for handling electrical hazards. The pilot stated that wearing sunglasses, combined with the low position of the sun and the dark background of a nearby forest edge, prevented him from seeing the cables. While aeronautical charts list such obstacles, it was unconfirmed if the pilot had consulted them prior to landing.
Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the manufacturer's flight manuals. The PH-PPJ was governed by manual B.0102. The investigation found that while both the B.0102 and the newer B.2102 manuals contain instructions for avoiding power lines, the newer version includes a critical safety instruction absent from the pilot's manual: passengers must remain clear of any equipment in contact with power lines and must not attempt to recover the balloon until the utility company confirms it is safe to do so. The manufacturer has since moved to merge these manuals.
Findings
- The pilot failed to identify the high-voltage cables due to glare from the low sun and the dark background of the forest edge.
- The attempt by passengers to move the balloon from the lines directly led to the electrical contact and subsequent fire.
- A discrepancy existed between flight manuals regarding the safety protocols for interacting with energized equipment.