Eight people were killed and 13 others survived the fire and crash of a hot air balloon in southern Brazil Saturday. There were reports that survivors jumped from the burning basket after the pilot descended quickly to a survivable altitude and ordered the passengers overboard but that isn’t evident in video of the accident. The pilot followed his own advice and was among the survivors. According to the Guardian, he told local media the fire started on a reserve burner that was inside the basket.
“When he noticed the fire, the pilot tried to descend quickly with the balloon,” the Guardian quoted Journal Razao as reporting. “When the aerostat was close to the ground, he ordered the passengers to jump. Some managed to jump out and survived with injuries. Others, however, didn’t get out in time.” The mishap occurred in a scenic tourist area near Praia Grande and the balloon was among 30 that launched about the same time on Saturday.
What is a “survivable” altitude in a burning balloon/gondola? Amazing that anyone lived based on the video.
I know it is fairly common, but carrying over twenty people in a single balloon just doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. Did no one think to carry a fire extinguisher along “just in case”?
The survivable altitude varies greatly and I am sure some terribly smart person has penned a Wikipedia article about it. Weight, shape and age play a role as well as the individuals unique ability to withstand great impacts. For example, people like me, who are used to hitting brick walls are very much less at risk to end up in splatter, than people who have never received a beating.
More serious response:
What should be kept in mind, is that fire and burning to death caught in a (any) contraption is a very very ugly way to go. I can attest to that, 30 years after responding to a successful suicide attempt by acetone and fuel mixture. The smell this left in my nose, did no leave me for months. Screw the survivable altitude, get this done and over quick, please.
Probably one of the reasons why WW I pilots carried a gun to solve for X in case their aircraft was catching fire, following enemy contact and a understandable reason for 9/11 victims to prefer jumping to their death, rather than burning.
After my stepfathers suicide (by hefty measure) I spent quite some time researching and speaking with Neurologists to determine just how long after a massive event the human mind stays conscious - i.o.w. just how long is someone able to carry coherent thought after whichever form of life-ending event has occured. Quite scary.
Entering a Balloon has been a complete no-go for me, despite of the incredibly romantic experience and being invited to “drive” countless times. I love seeing them, but could not ever enter this basket.
I absolutely cannot fathom the tought of burning the very fabric that keeps me airborne. Jumping is likely the quickest and simplest way.
Likewise, I would not get in the basket of a balloon without wearing a parachute. I suppose that would unsettle the other pax.