What happened
On 16 August 2002, a Thunder AX8-105 balloon, registration G-BPZZ, was conducting a passenger flight near Swepstone, Leicester. The flight, which included one pilot and three passengers, had initially proceeded according to a weather forecast suggesting decreasing wind speeds. However, during the descent from 1,200 feet, the pilot noted that wind speeds had actually risen to approximately 10 to 12 knots.
In preparation for landing, the pilot briefed the passengers on a 'drag' landing procedure, instructing them to brace against the padded front wall of the basket. The pilot selected a long stubble field for the approach, passing over power cables at the field's edge. To ensure a controlled descent, the pilot performed a gentle touchdown, which resulted in the basket sliding across the ground.
As the basket moved along its track, the pilot identified farm machinery ruts, roughly 4 inches high, directly in the path of the slide. While the pilot had alerted the passengers to this obstacle, one passenger began to turn toward the pilot just as the basket struck the ruts. The resulting jolt caused the passenger to lose her footing and fall.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent telephone enquiries. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the impact with the ruts and the movement of the passengers within the basket. It was established that the passenger suffered a fractured ankle and required hospital treatment via ambulance.
Findings
- The wind conditions during the descent were stronger than the pre-flight forecast had indicated.
- The pilot's decision to perform a gentle touchdown increased the distance the basket slid across the field.
- The passenger's movement toward the pilot during the landing phase caused her to lose her footing when the basket hit the farm machinery ruts.