Incident Details

Trike pilot was flying with another paramotor pilot in airspace shared with 8 to 10 hot air balloons. They were cruising at approximately 1000' AGL, maintaining 500 to 1000 foot distance from a group of balloons floating near the airport. A late-launching balloon lifted from the airport, unnoticed by the trike pilot, and began climbing. The trike pilot was flying level when the climbing balloon came into view from below. He attempted to steer away but it was too late and he flew into the balloon envelope, ripping through and out the other side. Paraglider fabric caught in balloon material leaving the trike dangling as air escaped out the newly created hole. They crashed onto a fence. The trike pilot received the worst injuries but two balloon passengers also went to the hospital.

Late-launching balloon climbed into the flight path of the trike pilot. The balloon was not noticed by the trike pilot until too late to avoid collision. Insufficient separation and situational awareness in congested airspace with multiple aircraft.

Trike pilot received serious injuries (described as 'the worst injuries'). Two balloon passengers also hospitalized.

Age: 65

Trike pilot was up with another paramotor pilot and 8 to 10 balloons. They were cruising about 1000' AGL and keeping 500 to 1000 foot distance from a group of balloons floating near the airport. A late-launching balloon lifted from the airport, unnoticed by the trike pilot, which began climbing. The trike pilot was flying level when the climbing balloon came into view from below. He tried to steer away but it was too late and he flew into the balloon envelope, ripping through and out the other side. Paraglider fabric caught in balloon material leaving the trike dangling as air escaped out the newly created hole. They crashed onto a fence. The trike pilot received the worst injuries but two balloon passengers also went to the hospital. There is an animation and write up on http://footflyer.com/Safety/Midair/paramotor_midair_collision_risk.htm Additional details from FootFlyer article: - Pilot characterized as conscientious, conservative with 40+ flights, not into showboating - Trike went through balloon fabric from near the top, ripping through and popping out the other side - Wing followed through, tangling in balloon envelope as trike fell - Hot air poured out of gaping hole, causing balloon descent - Area had been wetter than normal, more green landscape - Balloon was blue and yellow, possibly presenting less contrast against green mountain backdrop - Trike has small blind spot in front - balloon may have been obscured at half-mile distance - Balloon's climb rate (0 to ~500 fpm) may have made it present no visible aspect change, staying in same place against backdrop - Injuries significant but not life-threatening