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Annual Safety Review 2014
General Aviation
PAGE
110
Key Statistics General Aviation
Balloons
Balloon accidents within EASA MS have been slowly increasing for the last 5 years, but a lack of flight usage data
makes it difficult to assess whether this is due to an increase in flying or a reduction in the level of safety. This
increase is one of the main reasons why the initial work on the development of a Safety Risk Portfolio in the GA
Sector was initially focussed on Balloon operations. In 2014 there were not balloon fatal accidents, but the num‑
ber of non‑fatal accidents and serious incidents increased. In addition the number of serious injuries and minor
injuries also increased.
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Table 35:
Balloon accidents fatal and non-fatal - 5 year average vs 2014
Fatal Accidents
Non‑Fatal Accidents
Serious Incidents
2014
0
11
2
2009-2013 average
0.6
8.6
0.6
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Table 36:
Balloon fatalities and injuries - 5 year average vs 2014
Fatalities
Serious Injuries
Minor Injuries
2014
0
11
10
2009-2013 average
1.2
6
6.2