What happened
On 23 May 2012, an Ultramagic SA N-250 balloon, registration G-VBFA, was conducting a commercial passenger flight near Plymouth. Prior to the descent, the pilot briefed the 12 passengers on safety procedures, specifically instructing them to adopt a braced position and hold tightly due to anticipated wind conditions. The pilot had previously noted wind speeds of 13 kt at lower altitudes.
The aircraft initially performed a firm but successful landing at a designated field. During this maneuver, the basket briefly lifted off the ground to a height of roughly 6 ft before settling again. Following this initial touchdown, a second, gentler landing was executed. During this final phase, the basket dragged across the ground until it eventually tipped over as the balloon deflated.
Following the landing, a 62-year-old male passenger reported significant pain in both legs. Due to the severity of the pain, which prevented movement, the pilot requested emergency medical assistance. Paramedics arrived at the scene and transferred the passenger to a hospital.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the nature of the landing and the resulting injuries. While the pilot had prepared the passengers for a potentially rough landing due to wind speeds, the passenger described the impact as extremely severe, noting it occurred almost immediately after the instruction to brace. Medical examinations later confirmed that the passenger had sustained broken bones at the top of the shin in both legs, requiring surgery and a period of recovery in a wheelchair.