Serious incident to the Cameron Z105 registered F-HOFA operated by O'fil de l'air on 25/06/2023 at Saint Christoly-Médoc

At the end of the flight, the pilot was confronted with an increase in wind strength and a change in wind direction during the descent. On approaching the Gironde estuary, over which he did not want to fly, the pilot decided to land quickly in a tall grass area bordering the estuary. A few metres from the ground, he pulled hard on the rapid deflation line to bring the balloon to a stop quickly. This action probably increased the descent rate, causing the basket to bounce on contact with the ground, while the envelope continued to descend and collapsed onto the load frame. As a result, the cables securing the envelope slackened and one of them wrapped around the pilot’s neck. When the basket tipped over, the cables became taut, strangling the pilot. The latter, who had managed to insert a hand between the cable and his neck, successfully freed himself. The hot air balloon then came to a stop a few metres from the initial point of contact with the ground.