Mourão, Portugal - A fatal hot air balloon accident that occurred in April near the Alqueva reservoir has been attributed to a combination of pilot errors and operator negligence, according to a final report released by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF).
The incident resulted in the drowning death of a 55-year-old passenger after the balloon made an unplanned water landing.
The report found that the pilot underestimated the risks, failed to properly brief passengers on potential ditching scenarios, and did not equip the balloon with life jackets. Crucially, the pilot instructed the deceased passenger to assist in maneuvering the balloon while in the water, a decision deemed highly unsafe.
The GPIAAF report also criticized the operator, Windpassenger, for failing to adequately address safety concerns and prepare passengers for emergencies.
The pilot, aged 65, was also faulted for selecting a landing site near the riverbank with unfavorable wind conditions and for misjudging fuel levels, leading to the unplanned water landing.
The investigation concluded that the accident was a preventable tragedy stemming from a series of failures, including inadequate pilot training, poor risk assessment by the operator, and a lack of adherence to safety protocols.
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