In the town of Rogówek in Podlasie, two people fell out of the basket during a balloon landing. The District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok launched an investigation into the incident on Monday.
The investigation concerns causing an air traffic disaster that endangered the life or health of many people or property on a large scale, informed Elwira Laskowska, head of the Białystok prosecutor's office.
The evidence secured includes statements from the flight participants (except for one of the hospitalized persons) and the balloon flight recorder.
The accident happened early Saturday morning. Firefighters received information about a balloon that had made an emergency landing in a field. It was a hot-air balloon with a basket, carrying 15 people (the youngest passenger was 15) and a pilot.
Two people fell out of the balloon basketTVN24
Two people were injured
It turned out that the pilot had to make a so-called hard landing – probably due to suddenly changing weather conditions and strong gusts of wind. After the basket hit the ground hard, the balloon was still dragged across the field for some time. Two people were injured.
Prosecutor Laskowska said, based on the testimonies of the participants, that the flight to the landing phase proceeded without major disruptions. Then the wind changed, it blew much stronger, and the balloon moved at a higher speed.
– The pilot warned that there would be a “hard landing”, he instructed the participants of this flight on how to behave – she added. She noted that two passengers fell out of the basket after it hit the ground. The balloon touched down three times – landed and rose.
– Emergency services were called to the scene and the action proceeded very smoothly afterwards – she said.
The entire flight was recorded
Members of the State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation participated in the activities, including the on-site inspection. The balloon and the recording device that was in it were secured for the purposes of the investigation.
– The entire flight was recorded, the device was secured and will be subject to further examination – said prosecutor Laskowska. She added that a forensic medical opinion on the injuries of the injured people will be necessary. This affects the final legal qualification if anyone is charged.
Balloon accident in PodlasieTVN24
Main image source: TVN24