Report into fatal air balloon crash released

It happened last year, when the pilot was taking part in a competition

Author: Jon BurkePublished 24th May 2024
Last updated 24th May 2024

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published a report into a fatal accident involving an amateur built balloon in Worcestershire, on 25 June 2023.

The pilot, 25-year-old Peter Gregory, who was from the Cotswolds and was a regular at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, was taking part in a balloon competition.

One part of the competition involved dropping a marker as close as possible to a target location.

The accident occurred whilst the balloon was climbing rapidly away from this target.

The balloon envelope collapsed, and the basket descended to the ground, fatally injuring the pilot.

The investigation found the balloon was likely to have suffered a parachute stall. The balloon design, the weather conditions, and the rapid climb are all likely to have contributed to the accident.

Following the tragedy, a special tribute to Peter was held at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Friends let his well-known pink balloon rise into the air, whilst tethered to the ground.

Peter had been due to take in part in the fiesta last year.

Three Safety Recommendations are made to the British Ballooning and Airship Club (BBAC) to:

develop an effective reporting culture within the ballooning community

issue guidance on the prevention and recovery from unsafe conditions such as parachute stalls

issue guidance regarding jettisoning of fuel tanks during an emergency

Two Safety Recommendations are made to the CAA to:

publish guidance on the design, testing and inspection of amateur balloons insofar as these activities relate to unsafe conditions such as parachute stalls

publish guidance related to the oversight of competition balloon flying.

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