What happened
On 25 October 2016, a Cameron A-415 hot air balloon, registered ZS-HAH, was conducting a commercial flight departing from the Skeerpoort Balloon Field. The flight initially proceeded under calm conditions, even allowing for a brief return to the launch site to re-board a young passenger who had been temporarily off-loaded. However, as the flight progressed, the balloon drifted toward the Magaliesberg Mountain range.
As the aircraft moved through the area, wind conditions intensified. The pilot attempted to find more favorable winds by ascending to 8,731 feet AMSL, but the balloon was unable to alter its track and began drifting toward the Buffelspoort dam area. Facing increasing wind speeds, the pilot identified a potential landing site in an agricultural field near the farm Little Waters.
As the balloon approached the landing zone, ground speeds reached approximately 25 knots. The basket made a heavy impact with the ground, bouncing multiple times across the terrain. During this violent sequence, the basket was dragged for over 200 meters through rocky and bushy vegetation. The force of the landing caused three passengers to be ejected from the basket. One passenger tragically died from their injuries later that day, while two others sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the sequence of the landing. The investigation looked into the pilot's decision-making regarding altitude and direction, as well as the effectiveness of the safety briefing provided to passengers. Investigators also reviewed the impact of the wind speed on the landing stability and the physical mechanics of the basket's movement across the uneven terrain.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a landing in an open field while facing prevailing winds of approximately 22 knots, which exceeded the safe landing speed for hot air balloon operations.
- High wind conditions caused the balloon to drift away from the intended valley area, necessitating a landing in a less ideal location.
- The physical strength of young children was a factor, as the existing regulations did not sufficiently account for the difficulty of maintaining a braced position during high-speed impacts.
- The landing sequence involved multiple ground strikes and bounces that ultimately led to the ejection of passengers from the basket.