Incident Overview
On 23 January 2024, a Ultramagic N425 balloon, registration TC-BVT, operated by Pelikan Havacılık Org.Tur.Rek.Taş.VE Tic.Ltd.Şti, experienced a serious incident during a tourist flight near Ortahisar, Nevşehir. No fatalities or injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained light damage.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed at 04:55 UTC from the Tekkaya 1. Bölge launch site in the Cappadocia area. After completing the planned tourist flight, the pilot attempted to land. During the first landing attempt, the pilot found the landing area unsuitable due to wind and initiated a go-around, climbing to 15–20 meters. On the second landing attempt, the basket touched down, bounced, and tipped over. The envelope then came to rest on a power line. The pilot evacuated the passengers and then pulled the red rapid deflation cord to release the envelope's air. The aircraft was secured and left.
Aircraft Information
The balloon was a Ultramagic N425, serial number 425/86, manufactured in 2015. The basket was model C-12 (serial C-12/45, year 2010). The burner system was a MK-21 QUAD (year 2010). The fuel tanks were model UM4 M40D (year 2010). The maximum takeoff weight was 3712 kg. The aircraft had accumulated 1460.35 total flight hours. Its airworthiness certificate was valid until 05 March 2024. Maintenance records showed that all required airworthiness directives and service bulletins had been complied with. Maintenance was not considered a factor in the incident.
Personnel Information
The responsible pilot held a Balloon Pilot License (Group D) with a total flight time of 374:55 hours. The observer pilot also held a Balloon Pilot License (Group D) with a total flight time of 1073:10 hours. Both pilots were male Turkish nationals. Medical certificates were valid with no restrictions.
Damage
The envelope sustained several tears: a 150 cm horizontal tear on panel 21 between strips 8.5/9, a 300 cm horizontal tear on panel 22 between strips 8.5/9, a 140 cm horizontal tear on the turning panel inner flaps between strips 10/10.5, and two 50 cm horizontal tears on panels 12 and 15 between strips 1.5/2 and 12.5/13 respectively. The basket had screw breaks on its bottom runner protector. The burner and fuel tanks were undamaged. No third-party property or casualties occurred.
Meteorological Information
The pilot cited wind as a reason for aborting the first landing attempt. No further meteorological details were provided in the report.