Occurrence types

The most common level 2 occurrence type for accidents were:

Figure 6 – Level 2 Occurrence Type (2013-2024)
Figure 6 – Level 2 Occurrence Type (2013-2024)

The most common level 3 occurrence type for those accidents were:

Occurrence Level 2Occurrence Level 3
Aircraft Control90% (9) - hard landings
Crew and Cabin Safety86% (6) - cabin injuries
Terrain Collisions83% (5) – collision with terrain

In 2023, the ATSB commenced a safety study into commercial ballooning operations after identifying a trend toward a heightened exposure to risk in the sector. The factors that led to this being one of the ATSB Safety Watch concerns include:

  • an increased rate of accident and serious incidents compared to other sectors
  • the high number of passengers that a commercial ballooning flight may carry compared to other non-scheduled joy flight/sightseeing operations.

The ATSB is due to finish the study in mid 2025 - Reducing passenger injuries in commercial ballooning operations.

The number of cabin injuries classified in the ATSB occurrence database from 2013 to 2024 are in Figure 7.

Figure 7 – Cabin injuries by occurrence category type
Figure 7 – Cabin injuries by occurrence category type

The most common level 2 occurrence type for serious incidents were:

Figure 8 – Level 2 Occurrence types for serious incidents (2013 – 2024)
Figure 8 – Level 2 Occurrence types for serious incidents (2013 – 2024)

Breaking down these serious incidents to the level 3 occurrence type:

Occurrence Type - Level 2Occurrence Type - Level 3
Terrain Collisions50% (10) Collision with terrain, 50% (10) wirestrikes
Aircraft separation75% (3) Collision
Weather66% (4) Turbulence/windshear/microburst, 33% (2) unforecast weather
Aircraft control(2) Control issues, (2) Hard landing, (2) Loss of control
Published date: 11 July 2025
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//operations-safety-and-travel/safety-management-systems/sector-safety-risk-profiles/balloon-sector-safety-risk-profile/occurrence-types
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