The circumstances of the Carterton hot-air balloon tragedy appear straightforward enough. The craft burst into flames and crashed after hitting a power line, killing all 11 people on board. The focus of the investigation into the accident can, therefore, be its causes and the steps necessary to prevent a recurrence.
Editorial: Inquiry must lift balloon tourists' safety
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All commercial adventure aviation businesses must now apply for an operating certificate. Photo / Thinkstock
It could be that Australia trails New Zealand in this matter. But if similar steps are required here, they must be taken in the interests of the important tourism industry. Ballooning may be a little different from other types of adventure tourism, such as jet-boating and bungy-jumping, in that serenity and peacefulness are among its attractions. But it also provides an undoubted adrenalin rush. People going up in a balloon are seeking a thrill. They do not, however, want their lives endangered and will steer away from any activity, or any country, they regard as unsafe.
A number of ballooning accidents around the world have underlined the need for commercial operators to take every care. In 1993, six people were killed in the United States when a balloon hit a power line and plunged to the ground. That death toll was replicated in a similar incident in France eight years later, and in 2002 four tourists were killed when their balloon caught fire in southern China. Research has suggested that, paradoxically, the danger posed by power lines is often greatest when the flight is going smoothly and the pilot is relaxed.
Whatever caused the Carterton accident, the death toll is notable in both national and international terms. The right lessons must be drawn. It would be unfortunate if more red tape had to be applied to a youthful and vigorous industry. But protecting New Zealand's reputation as a top destination for tourists may require nothing less.