Investigation number
197501369
Occurrence date
Location
near Wagga Wagga
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal
The cause of the accident was an in-flight activation of the rapid deflation system. A possible explanation
is that the activation occurred when, following an encounter with a 'willy willy', spinning of the envelope and
basket resulted in the chimney control line entangling with the twisting basket and burner suspension lines.