What happened
On January 22, 2017, at approximately 10:05 AM, an O-120 hot air balloon was performing a landing maneuver near Rußbach, Austria. The flight, which began earlier that morning in Filzmoos, had climbed to an altitude of roughly 5,000 feet. As the pilot initiated a descent toward a planned landing site in the Gseng area, the balloon encountered a shift in wind direction.
While the aircraft was initially drifting southwest, it was caught by a southeasterly wind flow as it approached the B166 federal highway. This change in wind caused the balloon to drift toward the northwest at a low altitude. During the approach, the basket struck a snow-covered roadside embankment at a height of approximately 2.2 meters above the road level. The impact subsequently forced the balloon envelope against the gutter of a nearby barn, causing damage to both the envelope and the structure.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, weight and balance, weather conditions, and passenger briefing procedures. The SUB confirmed that the O-120 was airworthy, with a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate and no technical defects contributing to the event. The aircraft's weight during all flight phases, including takeoff and landing, remained well within the manufacturer's specified limits.
Weather conditions were found to be ideal and consistent with forecasts, with ground winds measuring no more than 8 knots. The investigation also reviewed the passenger briefing process. The pilot had provided instructions in both German and English both the evening before and immediately prior to takeoff. The investigation noted that while one passenger followed all instructions and remained uninjured, the other passenger did not fully adhere to the safety protocols.
Findings
- The aircraft was properly maintained, insured, and operated within its weight and environmental limits.
- The pilot had sufficient experience and had conducted a proper flight preparation.
- The primary cause of the injury was the failure of a passenger to follow safety instructions; specifically, the passenger closed their eyes during the landing phase.
- Due to this lack of bracing, the passenger was caught off guard by the impact of the basket against the embankment and was thrown against a fuel cylinder bracket, resulting in one serious injury and one minor injury to the pilot.