Technical assistance to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission of NZ - recovery of data from a hand-held GPS unit - hot-air balloon accident, near Carterton, New Zealand, 7 January 2012

AE-2012-045

Summary

On 7 January 2012, while operating in the vicinity of Carterton, New Zealand, a Cameron Balloons A-210 hot-air balloon, registered ZK-XXF, contacted power lines and caught fire before colliding with terrain.  The 11 occupants were fatally injured.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) of New Zealand is responsible for the investigation of this occurrence.  On 14 March 2012, the TAIC formally requested the assistance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in the recovery of data from a damaged GPS receiver found at the accident site.

The ATSB successfully recovered the accident data from the GPS receiver. This data and a technical report have been sent to the TAIC of New Zealand to assist its ongoing investigation. The TAIC is responsible for releasing a final investigation report regarding this occurrence.

 

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Released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number AE-2012-045
Occurrence date 07/01/2012
Location Carterton, New Zealand
State International
Report release date 03/07/2012
Report status Final
Investigation level Systemic
Investigation type External Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cameron Balloons Ltd
Model A-210
Registration ZK-XXF
Sector Balloon
Operation type Ballooning
Damage Destroyed