What happened
On May 4, 2018, a recreational hot air balloon flight involving a BB 22 balloon, operated by Aeroklub Ziemi Lubuskiej, ended in an accident near the village of Dobru and Dobruška. The flight originated from the southwestern edge of Dušniky, Poland, and proceeded along the Czech-Polish border. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and selected a field east of Dobruška for landing.
As the balloon approached the landing site, wind conditions had shifted, resulting in higher speeds than initially anticipated. The pilot warned the passenger that the landing would be "heavy." Upon the basket making contact with the ground, a sudden gust of wind caused the basket to tilt sharply and skid. During this violent movement, the passenger was ejected from the basket, sustaining two fractured arms.
Following the impact, the partially deflated balloon briefly ascended and was driven by the wind toward a nearby road. The balloon eventually struck a wooden telegraph pole, causing damage to the pole and light damage to the balloon envelope. The pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the pilot's flight management, and the technical state of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed GPS data from a mobile application, which indicated that the balloon was approaching the landing site at a ground speed of approximately 30 km/h, with a descent rate between 2.4 and 3.3 m/s—higher than the pilot's estimate of 20 km/h and 1 m/s, respectively.
Meteorological analysis from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) confirmed that the area was experiencing orographic turbulence and gusty winds, with gusts reaching up to 25–30 knots. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions regarding the venting of the envelope and the passenger's positioning within the basket.
Findings
- The pilot was qualified and experienced, and the BB 22 was in good technical condition.
- The pilot correctly identified the need to end the flight early due to changing weather but misjudged the wind forecast for the specific landing area.
- The landing was a high-speed maneuver rather than a smooth touchdown; the basket did not make tangential contact with the ground but rather struck it forcefully.
- The pilot likely failed to level the basket at the lowest possible altitude and did not fully vent the envelope before contact.
- The passenger, despite following instructions to hold onto the handles, was unable to remain in the basket due to the intensity of the impact and the basket's sudden tilt.