What happened
On December 1, 2024, at approximately 10:30 local time, a Cameron Balloons Limited, Z-120 hot air balloon, registered as HB-QUD, was involved in an accident near La Tine, in the municipality of Rossinière. The aircraft, operated by Centre alpin international, was conducting a private flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) after departing from Rougemont.
During the flight, the balloon collided with several trees. Following this impact, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. During this maneuver, the balloon struck the ground multiple times before ultimately crashing into the facade of a farmhouse. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft and resulted in damage to the farm's roof and surrounding trees.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) opened an inquiry into the event. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the initial collision with trees to the final impact with the building. The investigation examined the damage sustained by the HB-QUD and the impact on the ground infrastructure.
Findings
Among the injuries sustained during the accident, the pilot suffered light injuries, while the two passengers were injured, with one passenger sustaining serious injuries and the other suffering light injuries. The investigation established that the collision with trees preceded the emergency landing attempt and the subsequent multiple ground impacts.