What happened
On August 26, 2019, a BB-60Z hot air balloon carrying a pilot and six passengers departed from Rankweil, Austria, for a planned flight toward Bludenz. During the flight, the balloon experienced a significant change in direction, eventually drifting toward the east.
As the flight approached its conclusion, the pilot attempted a landing near Gavadura in the municipality of Raggal. The landing zone consisted of a single-lane road and a meadow situated on steep terrain. During the landing sequence, the balloon struck the ground with a high rate of descent. The impact caused the balloon to bounce back into the air, only to descend again with high vertical velocity. Upon this second impact, the basket tilted violently, causing both the pilot and one passenger to be ejected from the basket. The ejected passenger sustained serious injuries, while two other passengers suffered minor injuries. The pilot and the remaining three passengers were uninjured.
The investigation
The SUB investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's actions, and the environmental conditions. The investigation focused on the mechanical setup of the balloon, specifically the attachment of the fuel bottles and the connection between the basket and the envelope. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's use of the quick-release system and the adequacy of the passenger briefing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during flight resulting in a hard landing.
- The pilot failed to use the available restraint system, which contributed to being ejected from the basket.
- The connection between the balloon basket and the envelope was not performed according to the flight manual, which prevented the pilot from reaching essential control lines from the pilot station.
- The use of a quick-release system did not comply with regulations, placing a passenger at increased risk.
- The fuel valves between the fuel bottles and the burner were left open, contrary to procedures, because the pilot's flame was still burning.
- The pilot's briefing provided to the passengers was not fully understood, meaning instructions could not be effectively implemented during the emergency.
- The pilot's entry into an area with difficult landing terrain, which experienced balloonists typically avoid, was a contributing factor.
- There were miscalculations regarding the aircraft's mass, burner performance, and lifting capacity, as well as errors in estimating altitude and distance.