What happened
On April 5, 2023, at approximately 17:20 UTC, a Schroeder Fire Balloons G 40/24 hot air balloon, registration PH-NFR, was conducting a commercial flight near Cassina Rizzardi, Italy. The flight, which included the pilot and two passengers, had departed from Cermenate with the intention of landing in nearby fields.
During the descent phase, the balloon struck high-voltage power lines. The impact caused the burner's frame to snag on a structural cable, leading to a rupture in a burner tube. This resulted in a propane leak and an immediate fire. Simultaneously, the electrical lines made contact with the metal structure of the basket, causing a short circuit and an explosion that severed a basket support cable. Although the pilot attempted to use an onboard fire extinguisher and manually deflate the envelope to descend safely, the fire intensified after landing, consuming the entire basket and leaving only the steel frame intact. There were no fatalities or injuries among the three occupants, though the aircraft sustained significant damage and a nearby residential fence was struck.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's testimony. Analysis of the sun's position at the time of the event indicated the sun was at an elevation of less than 30 degrees, positioned in the pilot's front-left quadrant. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight planning and the maintenance records of the PH-NFR, which were found to be in compliance with all regulations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision with power lines due to the pilot's late detection of the obstacle.
- Intense sunlight and glare from a low sun position significantly reduced visibility, making the lines difficult to identify.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the event, as the selected landing area options did not account for the presence of the high-voltage lines.