What happened
On April 19, 2022, an Ultramagic N-425 hot air balloon, registration TC-BIN, was conducting a commercial tourist flight over the Pamukkale region in Denizli, Türkiye. The flight, operated by Kapadokya Cesa Turizm Tic. Ltd. Şti., departed from the Cemile area with a pilot, an observer pilot, and 20 passengers.
During the flight, the crew attempted to land in the "Ağıl" area; however, this landing was aborted due to the presence of high-voltage power lines. As the flight continued in search of a safe landing site, the wind speed and gusts began to increase due to the terrain effects of the nearby mountains and valleys. The balloon eventually performed a hard landing in a field in the Irlıgan and Pamukkale area. The impact resulted in one serious injury to a passenger, who sustained a fractured clavicle.
The investigation
The UEİM investigation examined the flight logs, GPS data, and maintenance records of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot and observer pilot were properly licensed and medically certified, and that the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date, with no maintenance-related factors contributing to the accident.
Analysis of GPS data revealed that the balloon landed outside of the designated LTB2 (Pamukkale) flight area. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's weight and balance calculations, noting that while the calculations were difficult to read due to being handwritten, the pilot had omitted the weight of the flight crew from the total, though this was not considered a factor in the crash. Furthermore, it was noted that the Airgram information available at the time did not cover the specific flight period, and pilots in the area had not reviewed the relevant updates.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was unforeseen and changing meteorological conditions, specifically increasing wind speeds and gusts encountered during the flight.
- A human factor contributed to the event, as the passenger did not maintain the correct landing position during the impact.
- The aircraft sustained light damage, including damage to the envelope (nomex panels and load wires) and the basket (cracks in the passenger compartment and basket structure).
- The landing occurred outside the authorized flight zone due to the necessity of seeking a safe area away from power lines.