Hot air balloon gets stuck in trees - fire brigade in action!

Hot air balloon gets stuck in trees - fire brigade in action!

On Wednesday morning, April 30, 2025, an unusual commitment to the local fire brigade occurred near the Dornbirner Ache. A hot air balloon that started in Diepoldsau (Switzerland) landed on a meadow with five inmates, about 50 meters from the shore. The pilot, a 70-year-old, started a regular balloon ride at 8:25 a.m. when a strong gust of wind caught the balloon and dragging the basket about 40 meters towards Lake Constance.

Although the balloon cover caught in a group of trees, the basket was unharmed and did not overturn. In accordance with the reporting of Vol.at , all occupants, consisting of the pilot and four passengers, were luckily unharmed. The Hard fire brigade was called to free the balloon cover from the trees with a turntable ladder. The case probably caused slight damage.

missions of the fire brigade and safety regulations

The situation not only illustrates the challenges when driving a balloon, but also the important safety regulations that apply in aviation. According to bg-verkehr.de , balloon drivers must observe a variety of state, European and international regulations, especially in commercial trips. These regulations also include guidelines on occupational safety and health protection.

The use of liquefied gas as a fuel for the burners not only requires specialist knowledge, but also high attention. In the early morning hours before a start, there is often a busy hustle and bustle at the starting site, where passengers, pilots and faders meet. After preparing and climbing the basket, the starting hits are solved, and the burner creates the necessary buoyancy for the start with hot air in the shell.

precautionary measures and training

During a balloon ride, the occupants are in a narrow room without exit options and must therefore be aware of their tasks. Regular instructions and training courses are essential to minimize the risks and ensure a secure process. The use of the fire brigade in Hard shows how important such preparatory measures and knowledge are in an emergency.

For more information about typical processes and security standards in balloon trips, interested parties can read a detailed article on vorarlberg.orf.at . The topic of aviation and security always remains up to date and requires constant attention from both pilots and passengers.