Accident to the Kubicek BB51 registered F-HRLY operated by Airshow Montgolfière on 02/03/2024 at Sallanches

On the day of the accident, the pilot considered that the meteorological conditions were compatible with the planned flight. Before taking off, he carried out a safety briefing and trained the passengers in the adoption of the landing position. During the descent, the wind changed direction and pushed the balloon towards Sallanches. It was not possible for the pilot to anticipate this change in flight path based on the weather forecasts. On approaching the town and in the face of strengthening wind, the pilot decided to land. The passengers adopted the position required for landing. The speed of the balloon and the presence of obstacles at the end of the field chosen for the landing obliged the pilot to increase the balloon’s rate of descent and to use the rapid deflation system at a height above that recommended in the operating manual. During the landing, the basket struck the ground hard and a passenger broke her foot.