Balloon safety recommendations must be followed
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: September 03, 2009 3:32 PM
Editor: Re: Ill-fated balloon’s pilot files lawsuit (The Times, Sept. 2).
Balloon makers ignore safety recommendations.
The 2007 hot air balloon accident was caused by fire that started when a valve failed. The valve and the propane system on board were prescribed by and sold by the balloon manufacturer. They were installed by a technician and the balloon was inspected by Transport Canada. No more should be sold until the manufacturer tests and guarantees their reliability.
The TSB praised the pilot and put his safety recommendations in their report. Unfortunately, the recommendations have yet to be adopted by the industry: to this day manufacturers do not equip hot air balloons with an emergency fuel shut-off or fire suppression.
How many more people will be injured before balloon manufacturers listen to the Transportation Safety Board?
John Kageorge,
Surrey
v2
