A study into Australia’s growing hot air balloon sector advises pilots and operators on key areas of focus to improve safety, and recommends the use of a structured Safety Management System to identify and manage risk.
The ATSB conducted the safety study in line with one of its SafetyWatch priorities, Reducing passenger injuries in commercial ballooning operations, and after identifying a serious incident and accident rate in balloon operations around 10 times that of charter operations in aeroplanes and helicopters, on a per flight basis.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted the sector’s overall exposure to risk had also increased recently with an increase in larger balloons, capable of carrying the maximum passenger limit of 24 per flight, on the Australian register.
While no fatal accidents occurred in the sector during the study period, from 2014 to 2022, the study did find ballooning carried a higher risk to fare paying passengers than similar operations in small aeroplanes and helicopters.
“On a per-flight basis, ballooning was more likely to have a serious incident or accident, and more likely to have a passenger injury, than equivalent operations in small aeroplanes and helicopters,” Mr Mitchell said.
Injuries, serious incidents and accidents were more likely to occur during landing than any other phase of flight, the study found.
“Balloons are distinct from other aircraft in that they travel by moving with the wind, with pilots achieving directional control by using differing wind directions at different altitudes,” Mr Mitchell said.
Of the 79 balloon occurrences reported to the ATSB during the study period, 35 cited wind as a safety factor, resulting in 8 serious incidents and 5 accidents.
15 of the occurrences attributed assessing and planning as a safety factor, resulting in 7 serious incidents and 3 accidents.
The study, available here, advises balloon pilots to use all available information sources, including approved Bureau of Meteorology products, to ensure they understand the weather, particularly the wind, and its influence on flight safety.
“Accurate weather assessment is critical for safe go/no-go decisions,” Mr Mitchell continued.
“Pilots should also apply threat and error management by anticipating risks such as powerlines and poor visibility, and prioritising safety over logistical pressures in adverse conditions.”
The study also urges balloon operators to consider implementing a Safety Management System.
“Although not required by legislation for balloon operators, implementing a Safety Management System provides a structured approach to identifying and managing risks,” Mr Mitchell said.
Beaudesert incident a case study
An ATSB occurrence investigation, released alongside the safety study, details an accident involving a large balloon during a morning scenic flight near Beaudesert, Queensland, on 7 July this year.
The final report notes the balloon, with 20 passengers and the pilot on board, encountered fog after clearing a ridge line.
During the approach to land in low visibility, an unexpected low-level wind shift diverted the balloon away from the preferred clear landing area.
The pilot then selected an alternate, unplanned landing site in the final stages of landing and, due to reduced visibility from fog, was unable to see obstacles in the final landing area.
On landing, the balloon basket was carried forward with momentum, skipping several times before coming to a stop. The balloon’s envelope collided with a dead tree during the landing, resulting in minor damage.
“This serious incident demonstrates the unique challenges faced by balloon pilots, dealing with dynamic and changing weather conditions,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It also demonstrates some of the safety steps operators can take to reduce risk.”
The final report notes comprehensive passenger safety briefings meant passengers adopted brace positions before the landing, which likely prevented injury.
“This accident highlights the importance of effective safety briefings and how passengers adopting the correct body position during landing – the most common phase of flight for serious incidents and accidents – substantially reduces the likelihood and severity of injury.
“We encourage all ballooning operators and pilots to review this material from the perspective of their operations, and consider how they can best ensure the safety of their passengers and aircraft,” Mr Mitchell concluded.
Read the safety study: Safety study into Australian balloon transport operation occurrences from 2014 to 2022 | ATSB
Read the occurrence investigation report: Controlled flight into terrain involving Kavanagh Balloons G-450, VH-FGC, 12 km north-north-west of Beaudesert, Queensland, on 7 July 2025 | ATSB