Hot Air Balloon Accidents in Turkish Airspace: Human Factors Through RCA and HFACS

Hot air balloons play a significant role in tourism in Türkiye. Despite offering a unique experience, they are also associated with a relatively high risk of accidents. According to the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (2024), hot air balloon accidents account for 36% of aviation incidents, highlighting the need for closer examination of these occurrences. Since human factors constitute the dominant contributory element in aviation accidents, it is crucial to analyze hot air balloon incidents from this perspective. This study examines two serious hot air balloon accidents in Türkiye that occurred between 2021 and 2024, focusing on the human factors involved. Using a mixed methodology, including the 5 Whys Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), the research investigates systemic issues. Data were collected from official accident reports published by the Transport Safety Investigation Center under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye. The analysis reveals significant patterns in decision-making errors, insufficient meteorological assessments, inadequate training, and organizational shortcomings. The findings show that both accidents were driven by systemic failures rather than pilot error alone. These included issues with organizational processes, supervisory oversight, and safety culture. The study emphasizes the need for improved meteorological systems, better training for adverse weather conditions, and enhanced safety management practices that stress the importance of a proactive safety culture and stronger operational planning to address human factors and reduce risks in hot air balloon operations.