Suddenly this morning, two hot-air balloons carrying 17 people crashed in eastern Melbourne!
The difference is only five minutes! One of them also carries Chinese tourists!
Fortunately, no one was injured.
Hot-air balloon accidents in recent years, but also let this "beautiful and dangerous" activities, arousing people's vigilance.
1. Two hot air balloon crashes this morning!
Both balloons fell just a few meters from Melbourne residents' homes, according to Daily Mail.
(photo source: daily Mail)
Which carries Chinese tourists, landed at Terrara Road. in Vermont South.
(photo source: daily Mail)
Another hot-air balloon carrying nine people crashed near the intersection of High Street Road and Eastlink in Wantrina South.
(photo source: daily Mail)
Nearby resident Christine said she heard balloons crash into eucalyptus trees and then hit her rattan and fell into her backyard.
(photo source: daily Mail)
"it was terrible. I was beginning to think it was an earthquake. I was so scared that I was still shaking."
(photo source: daily Mail)
"the hot air balloon crossed our fence and entered our swimming pool, and now the police and ambulances are here. I can hear eucalyptus falling and hitting eucalyptus. "
(photo source: daily Mail)
Fortunately, no one was injured.
2. Frequent hot air balloon accidents in Australia
All the friends who come to Australia are willing to experience a hot air balloon trip.
However, in recent years, the Australian hot air balloon accidents have occurred frequently.
At the end of last year, a balloon carrying 16 people caught fire in the air.
The basket was completely caught in a sea of fire, and tourists on the hot air balloon had to jump out of the hot air balloon.
Finally, the hot air balloon fell into a paddock, all burned down, leaving only the black charcoal on the ground!
(figure Source: 7 News)
Fortunately, in time for the landing, only one woman was slightly injured in 16 passengers.
(figure Source: 7 News)
The same month, a hot-air balloon carrying three couples crashed into Dixons Creek., about 45 kilometers northeast of Melbourne
(figure Source: 9 News)
The hot air balloon mingled with a big tree.
(figure source: network)
Fortunately, they were not high enough to leave the ground, and in the end all 11 were in danger and safe.
Also last February, Melbourne's hot-air balloons were in trouble.
At that time, in the northern Melbourne tourist area, hot air balloons suddenly died out at 500 meters shortly after takeoff.
The hot air balloon had to land slowly.
However, just as the balloon was about to land, a gust of wind came and the balloon was ejected about 100 meters and sloped violently into the ground.
Caused 16 tourists to be thrown out, at least 7 people were seriously injured in the neck and back!
(photo source: daily Mail)
In January last year, Sydney's hot-air balloons also happened in a shocking scene, resulting in a number of injuries.
A hot-air balloon carrying 15 tourists crashed into the ground a few minutes after takeoff.
The cabin loaded with passengers also flipped after falling to the ground.
Ultimately, six passengers were injured in varying degrees, two of whom were seriously injured.
In March last year, nine people were injured when a hot-air balloon crashed in Hunter Valley.
In August 2015, residents of Karara on the Gold Coast saw a hot-air balloon that had landed on the street early in the morning!
Fortunately, when the balloon landed, there were not many pedestrians on the street, and Asian tourists on the balloon were urgently transferred to a nearby football field, and no one was injured.
3. Frequent causes of hot air balloon accidents
1. Weather reason
Sudden wind direction is the most common cause of all kinds of hot air balloon accidents.
The basic principle of hot air balloons is that the air is heated and expanded, and the hot air gathers in the airbag to generate force and lift. Because hot-air balloons do not have a power system and follow the wind in the air, they rely heavily on the state of the wind in flight and the operation of the driver.
According to the accident investigation, most of the hot air balloon accidents occur because of sudden changes in wind speed and direction.
Sudden increase in wind speed can easily cause hot air balloons to lose control, coupled with sudden changes in wind direction will blow hot air balloons away from the planned route, resulting in hot air balloons scratching trees, electrical lines and other further accidents.
2. Pilot operating reason
Although it is not possible for pilots to turn the heat balloons out of control due to strong winds, normally experienced pilots choose the right altitude based on wind direction, wind speed, and flight direction.
If the pilot misjudged the appropriate altitude, or if the pressure in the sphere could not be found in time, the lift-off altitude would be too high, and the accident might also occur.
In addition, hot-air balloon companies and pilots have misjudged the weather and insisted on arranging flights in weather that is not suitable for flight, resulting in accidents that have also occurred in many cases.
3. Equipment reason
In 2013, 19 British, French, Hungarian, Japanese and Hong Kong tourists died as a hot-air balloon crashed during a sunrise-watching flight on the outskirts of the southern Egyptian city of Lexo (Luxor).
Last year's Yarra Valley hot-air balloon accident in Melbourne was also caused by a combination of a sudden engine shutdown and a strong wind.
4. Man-made reason
There is also a very extreme situation in which someone maliciously ignites.
Myanmar is holding a big hot-air balloon competition in 2017, attracting countless hot-air balloon enthusiasts from all over the world.
Just as the atmosphere was strong, a hot-air balloon filled with gunpowder fireworks quickly self-ignited after lift-off! Crash!
The balloon suddenly turned into a huge ball of fire, falling into the VIP area of the venue, causing chaos and serious injuries to 12 people.
Later, after investigation, they found that a few seconds before the balloon spontaneous combustion, there was a suspicious green spot, much like a laser pen green laser.
And a lot of TV program to everybody popular science, high-power laser pen focus can easily ignite flammable material.
So many people speculate that the accident is likely to be a premeditated man-made disaster!
Many people's tourism projects are hidden in danger.
Every trip to a strange country, most people want to experience the most distinctive, most amazing activities, do not leave a regret to travel.
(source: Klook)
Note, however, that there are also many popular tourist projects, as well as "beautiful but hidden dangers" like hot air balloons.
Six people killed in Sydney seaplane landing
A single-engine seaplane in Sydney, Australia, crashed after a crash over the Hoxbury River on December 31, 2017, killing all six people on board.
The day after the police released the names of the victims, including British food and beverage giant Kim Bath Group Chief Executive Chris Corsons and four family members.
Two people fall dead in a double parachute diving accident in Australia
On the afternoon of July 15, 2017, two high-altitude divers fell dead in Wilton (Wilton), 85 kilometers southwest of Sydney, after the parachute was not opened.
Dustin Leonard's GoPro camera, another jumper who pioneered the leave, recorded the final images of two dead men: a 60-something teacher and a 20-something Singaporean Chinese parachute diver standing in front of the cabin, with an expectant smile on the teacher's face.
5 hot air balloon consideration
It is believed that many friends who have traveled in hot air balloons feel that the scenery they see on the balloon is unparalleled in other places, in order to bear in mind the beauty of their lives, it is worth it.
But though the scenery is beautiful, the repeated accidents have also sounded a warning bell for us.
So, what do you need to pay attention to in hot air balloons?
1. Choose a big, well-known, regular company
Such companies generally maintain equipment, pilot selection and training will be more in place, a higher safety factor.
2. Check the pilot's license.
The pilot is the only person with the ability to keep you safe throughout the balloon flight, so it is reasonable to ensure that the pilot has the relevant qualification. If he can't get it out, today I advise you to hurry up and change the house.
3. Check to see if the hot air balloon equipment has an annual inspection certificate
The equipment in good condition is the foundation of flight safety.
4. Observe whether the weather is suitable before flight
Please note that strong winds, fog and rain are not conducive to flying. If the wind outside is very windy and changes frequently, if you feel worried, even if the pilot feels able to take off, everyone can consider giving up on their own. After all, it is the safest thing to do, so don't risk your own life.
5. Make sure you're healthy.
If you arrive unwell before the flight, or have some diseases of your own, such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, fear of heights, and other diseases that are medically unsuitable for high-altitude exercise, this type of friend is advised not to try to travel in hot air balloons.
6. Wearing the right clothes.
It is best to wear pure cotton clothes and a cotton hat so that fire does not stick to your body. If it is sunrise, the temperature will rise, preferably also wear sunglasses and hat.
7. Please prepare yourself for the ignition.
When a hot air balloon fires into the air, it will burst out of flames instantly, and the loud noise that occurs at the same time will resemble explosion. Therefore, the occupant must be prepared for the ignition and hold on to the hanging basket.
8. Don't touch the equipment in the hanging basket on your own.
The basket contains pilots, occupants and all kinds of related equipment, so the space is narrower. During flight, passengers try to pull aside without permission to touch any equipment in the basket.
9. The landing position should be correct.
When you hit the ground, you need to bend your legs and hold your hands on the edge or bar of the basket. This cushioning position is when the basket falls or gets hurt when it hits the ground.
Hot air balloons will hit the ground, pay attention to the first impact on the ground is not a complete landing, because the principle of reaction will rebound once to twice, so when the driver tells you can stand up. It's the time the balloon officially landed smoothly, so don't stand up the first time you hit the ground and avoid injury in the backbounce.
10. In case of danger, you have to understand how to save yourself.
When entering the balloon basket, you should observe the location of the fire extinguisher, once the fire occurs, you should use the fire extinguisher as soon as possible, so that the chances of survival will be greatly improved.
In case of discomfort or other problems during the flight, communicate with the driver immediately, the pilot will take the first steps to ensure everyone's safety.
Finally, I would like to remind you again, whether travelling in hot air balloons or other high-risk tourism projects, be sure to do your homework well in advance, keep in mind the points for attention, and follow the direction of the professional in the event.
Although the scenery is beautiful, adrenaline is exciting, safe travel, safe home, more important than anything!