2013 Luxor hot air balloon crash

Fatal balloon crash in Egypt January 2020 2013 Luxor hot air balloon crash Ultramagic N-425 balloon, registration SU-283.jpg 1.1 SU-283 (back center), the balloon involved in the accident, on the morning of its fatal flight Accident 2013 02 26 y Fire on board, envelope deflation Luxor, Egypt 25 41 41 N 32 34 42 E type:event inline,title Ultramagic N-425 Sky Cruise SU-283 21 20 1 19 2 2 On 26 February 2013, a hot air balloon crashed near Luxor, Egypt, killing 19 out of the 21 people on board. A fire developed in the basket due to a leak in the balloon's gas fuel system, causing the balloon to deflate mid-air and crash to the ground. It was the deadliest ballooning accident in history and the deadliest aerostat disaster since the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, which killed 36 people.Cline Seth 7 of the Worst Hot Air Balloons Accidents in Recent Memory https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/02/26/7-of-the-worst-hot-air-balloons-accidents-in-recent-memory US News 2 August 2016Bell Matthew 'The tip of the iceberg': Egyptian hot air balloon crash was 'inevitable,' says British pilot https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/the-tip-of-the-iceberg-egyptian-hot-air-balloon-crash-was-inevitable-says-british-pilot-8517919.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/the-tip-of-the-iceberg-egyptian-hot-air-balloon-crash-was-inevitable-says-british-pilot-8517919.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent 2 August 2016 3 March 2013 Background Hot air balloons are commonly used in Luxor to provide tourists with aerial views of the Nile River, the temple of Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings, among other historical attractions.https://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/26/world/africa/egypt-balloon-deaths Deadliest balloon crash in decades kills 19 in Egypt CNN 26 February 2013 24 March 2013 Concerns over passenger safety have been raised from time to time, with multiple crashes reported in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In April 2009, 16 people had been hurt when a balloon crashed during a tour of Luxor. After the crash, flights were grounded for six months while safety measures were improved. Pilot training was increased and balloons were given a designated launching site. Following the toppling of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the rule of law and the improved regulations were largely ignored. Sky Cruise, the operator of the balloon, had suffered a previous accident in October 2011, which even involved the same balloon.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/27/egyptian-hot-air-balloon-company Egyptian hot air balloon crash was company's second in 18 months 27 February 2013 London The Guardian Patrick Kingsley Haroon Siddique 27 February 2013 The company has stated that it is properly insured and prepared to compensate victims' families. Crash On 26 February at 07:00 Egypt Standard Time (05:00 UTC), an Ultramagic N-425 balloon,Ultramagic Balloons manuals (Archive) registration SU-283,http://gate.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/35/313843/%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%B9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9-.aspx ar:مسئول بوزارة الطيران: البالون إسباني الصنع واندلاع النيران فيه تسبب Aviation Ministry official: Spanish-made balloon caught fire which caused the accident. Ahram Weekly 26 February 2013 Arabic operated by Sky Cruise departed on a sight-seeing flight carrying 20 passengers and a pilot.Hauslohner Abigail Deadly balloon crash latest blow to Egyptian tourism https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/deadly-balloon-crash-latest-blow-to-egyptian-tourism/2013/02/26/cef4c674-8006-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html 26 February 2013 The Washington Post 26 February 2013 Cairo According to a nearby balloon pilot, Mohamed Youssef, a fire started in the Sky Cruise balloon a few meters off the ground as it was attempting to land, as a result of a leaking fuel line. As the fire engulfed the basket, the pilot and one passenger leaped to safety as the craft rose rapidly aided by a wind gust. As the balloon rose, approximately seven passengers jumped to their deaths to escape the fire. At an altitude of approximately 300 m ft us, there was an explosion which could be heard several kilometers away.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/26/luxor-hot-air-balloon-crash-kills-tourists Luxor hot air balloon crash kills 19 tourists The Guardian 26 February 2013 26 February 2013 Siddique, Haroon Kingsley, Patrick London The balloon and remaining passengers plunged to the ground, killing everyone remaining on board. Youssef said it appeared that a gas leak in one of the balloon's tanks caused the fire and resulting explosion, consistent with information reported in state-run media. Earlier reports had indicated that the balloon may have contacted a power line.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21584413 Balloon crashes near Luxor killing 19 tourists BBC News 26 February 2013 26 February 2013 Two minutes later, the burning craft crashed into a sugar cane field west of Luxor.Tourists killed in Egypt hot air balloon crash http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/tourists-killed-in-egypt-hot-air-balloon-crash https://archive.today/20130403162228/http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/tourists-killed-in-egypt-hot-air-balloon-crash dead 3 April 2013 26 February 2013 The National 26 February 2013 AP A second explosion was reported 15 seconds later. Ambulances arrived on the scene after 15 minutes.Egypt suspends Luxor balloon flights after deadly crash 26 February 2013 BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21595185 26 February 2013 Bodies were scattered across the field when rescue workers arrived on the scene. The balloon's final moments were caught on amateur video. Casualties At the time of its ascent, the balloon carried 20 passengers and Momin Murad, the balloon's Egyptian pilot. Nineteen of the passengers were tourists: nine from Hong Kong, four from Japan, three from Britain, two from France, and one from Hungary; the 20th passenger was an Egyptian tour guide.Wednesday's papers: Hot air balloon crash and national dialogue disaster Mai Shams El-Din 27 February 2012 Egypt Independent http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/wednesday-s-papers-hot-air-balloon-crash-and-national-dialogue-disaster 27 February 2013 Of the Hong Kongers, five were women and four were men. They were members of three families on a tour group organized by Kuoni Travel. The Japanese victims were two couples from Tokyo in their 60s.Mullany, Gerry and Calvin Yang. "Hong Kong Grapples With Aftermath of Deadly Balloon Accident." The New York Times. 28 February 2013. Retrieved on 28 February 2013. They were on a ten-day tour of Egypt organized by JTB Corporation."Japanese among balloon crash dead." Associated Press and Kyodo at The Japan Times. 27 February 2013. Retrieved on 28 February 2013. The three Britons and the Hungarian-born passenger, a resident of the UK, were on a tour organized by Thomas Cook Group.Beach, Alastair. "Luxor hot air balloon disaster: Horror of tourist who saw wife die in fireball." The Independent. Wednesday 27 February 2013. Retrieved on 28 February 2013. "Mr Bampton and his Hungarian-born partner Suzanna Gyetvai, 34, both from Clapham, London, were confirmed dead last night. " The French victims were a 48-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter."Josy et Léa, deux Aveyronnaises parmi les victimes de l'accident de montgolfière en Égypte (Josy and Léa, Two Aveyronnaises among hot-air balloon victims in Egypt)." Midi Libre. 27 February 2013. Retrieved on 2 March 2013. The accident killed 18 of the passengers on site; the pilot and two passengers survived the initial crash.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-luxor-balloon-idUSBRE91P04S20130226 Egypt hot air balloon crash kills 19 tourists Reuters 26 February 2013 26 February 2013 Tom Perry The two surviving passengers, both British men, were rushed to hospital in critical condition. One of them died after five hours of surgery. Dr. Mohammad Abdullah, the head of the emergency ward of the Luxor hospital, said that the Briton who died in the hospital had probably suffered a 50 m ft us on fall. The surviving Briton was described as being in critical but stable condition, while the pilot was said to be conscious and talking, but with burns covering 70% of his body. Doctors at the Luxor International Hospital said that many of the dead suffered severe internal injuries and severe burns. Aftermath Governor of Luxor Ezzat Saad banned hot air balloon flights in his jurisdiction until further notice. Egypt's civil aviation minister, Wael el-Maadawi, followed by suspending balloon flights nationwide. In a statement, President Mohamed Morsi expressed his "deepest condolences and sympathy for the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident." National government spokesman Alaa Hadidi said a committee would be formed to investigate the accident. The bodies of the victims were transported to four hospitals in Cairo. Chinese consular officials in the Arab Republic of Egypt and Hong Kong Immigration Department officers were scheduled to travel with the family members of the Hong Kong victims to Cairo.Republic of China in the Arab Republic of Egypt zh:宋爱国大使会见埃及旅游部长 27 February 2013 http://eg.china-embassy.org/chn/zxxx/t1017238.htm 7 March 2013 Zh Republic of China in the Arab Republic of Egypt CE mourns killed tourists 26 February 2013 http://archive.news.gov.hk/en/categories/admin/html/2013/02/20130226_183832.shtml 7 March 2013 Zh Kuoni Travel, the Hong Kong travel agency that organized the tour attended by the Hong Kong passengers, made plans for the six tour members who did not take the balloon ride to leave Egypt. The tour agency stated that, in addition to the US$7000 per person stipulated by contract, additional compensation would be given. Mohammed Osman, head of the Luxor Tourism Chamber, accused civil aviation authorities of lowering standards prior to the accident. "I don't want to blame the revolution for everything, but the laxness started with the revolution," he said. "These people are not doing their job, they are not checking the balloons and they just issue the licenses without inspection." National authorities were quick to deny the allegations, noting that the balloon had recently been inspected. They were also quick to blame the pilot, an anonymous official saying on the day of the accident that the pilot should have shut off gas valves and attempted to put out the fire instead of jumping out of the basket, thus possibly contributing to the tragedy.Fiery Balloon Accident Kills 19 Tourists in Egypt Maggie Michael 26 February 2013 AP ABC https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hot-air-balloon-crash-egypt-kills-19-foreigners-18594964 26 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130227025509/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hot-air-balloon-crash-egypt-kills-19-foreigners-18594964 27 February 2013 An anonymous civil aviation ministry official acknowledged to the press that standards had been weakened by the current regime. The pilot's license had been renewed one month prior to the accident. Local and foreign media analysts speculated that the crash would hurt Egypt's already weakened tourism industry, which was down 22% from 2010 levels.2016 10 8 What effect did it have? Wael Ibrahim, who oversees the tourism syndicate in Luxor, did not expect the accident to worsen the situation since tourism was already down so much. "This (type of) accident could happen anywhere in the world", he remarked. A local balloon operator, angered by the industry shutdown, remarked: "Why the mass punishment? Do you stop all flights when you have a plane crash? ... You will cut the livelihoods for nearly 3,000 human beings who live on this kind of tourism." Angered by the industry-wide shutdown, tourism workers threatened to organize protests on 2 March. The same day, Saad admitted that pressure to resume balloon flights was mounting and promised that downtime would be less than a month. Hot air balloon rides at Luxor were set to resume in April, according to a statement on the Egyptian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission's (CARC) website.https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/17/travel/luxor-balloon-resume/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2 Luxor balloon flights set to resume CNN 17 April 2013 Investigation Preliminary results of the government investigation ruled out criminal conduct as the cause of the crash.Egyptian tourism industry workers angered over balloon crash suspension after Luxor crash Global Post Freya Peterson 2 March 2013 http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/130302/luxor-balloon-crash-video-youtube-egyptian-tours-hotels 2 March 2013 On 2 March, Luxor-area balloon pilots held a press conference to defend Egypt's safety protocol and their colleague's actions. The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority released its final report of the crash on 7 January 2014. The 219-page report blamed a leak in a fuel line connected to the balloon's burner. The aging line had been in use since 2005 and sprung a leak, which ignited as the balloon came in to land. The fire severely injured the pilot, who jumped or fell from the basket. Some of the ground crew released the ground line in order to attend to the pilot, so that the remaining crew could not keep the balloon near the ground. The flaming balloon rose rapidly and uncontrolled, then exploded. http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/91049/Egypt/Politics-/Fuel-leak-caused-Luxor-balloon-crash-Aviation-mini.aspx Fuel leak caused Luxor balloon crash: Aviation ministry 7 January 2014 Ahram Online 3 August 2016 See also List of ballooning accidents Hot air ballooning in Luxor 2025 Santa Catarina hot air balloon crash, a similar accident occurred also in a hot air ballooning destination References External links The Guardian: Footage of Egyptian hot air balloon crash – video The Guardian: Egypt balloon crash: rescuers scour Luxor site – video Final report on the accident (Archive) by the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation Aviation Egypt Category:2013 disasters in Egypt Category:Aviation accidents and incidents involving balloons and airships Category:Aviation accidents and incidents caused by in-flight fires Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2013 Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Egypt Category:Filmed deaths during aviation accidents and incidents Category:Luxor Category:Tourism in Egypt Category:February 2013 in Egypt