Findings reveal how 2 hot air balloons collided mid-air in Alice Springs

Incredible footage of the moment a hot air balloon flight almost turned to disaster has been released, as crash investigators finalise a report into what happened. Watch the video.

Findings from the investigation into a mid-air hot air balloon collision in Alice Springs have been released almost six months after the incident.

On July 18 a hot-air balloon carrying a pilot and 10 passengers crashed into another balloon carrying a pilot and 23 passengers.

Both of the balloons were operated by Red Centre Ballooning.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief Angus Mitchell said the collision occurred about 15 minutes after takeoff when the smaller balloon, which was 800ft higher and 1.1km behind the other, began to descend in an effort to slow down

“Before descending, the pilot misjudged the speed and direction of the larger balloon,” he said.

“Instead of descending behind it, the smaller balloon tracked towards a collision with the larger one.”

The pilot of the smaller balloon was able to recognise a collision was likely and continued the descent so that a basket to balloon crash didn’t occur.

As a result the two balloon’s ‘envelopes’ — the bags of air above where the passengers are held — collided, with no damage or injuries reported.

In 1989, 13 people were killed when a basket of one balloon collided with the envelope of another in Alice Springs.

It is the deadliest ballooning incident in Australian history.

Two hot air balloons collided shortly after takeoff on July 18, 2022. Picture: Daniel Tran/Tourism NT Escape

Mr Mitchell said the investigation into the latest incident served as an important reminder to review the advice on decision making and collision avoidance.

“While the pilots were able to avoid damage during this collision, this incident highlights the importance of evaluating all available options to support good decision making,” he said.

“You will make a better and timelier final decision if you have considered all options in advance.”

“Not only is seeing important, but accurately interpreting what is seen is equally vital.”