June1999
(ISSN 0887-6061) is
published monthly by Balloon Life
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MAGAZINE
June 1999
Editor-In-Chief
Publisher
Tom Hamilton
Contributing Editors
Ron Behrmann, George Denniston,
Mike Rose, Peter Stekel
Columnists
Don Piccard
Staff Photographer
Ron Behrmann
Annette Fifield, Derek Hancock
Greg Livadas, Daryl McKee
Alan Sanderson, Stan Wereschuk
Mike Vanness
2336 47th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 9811 6
Fax: 206-935-3326
e-mail: tom@balloonlife.com
Internet: http://balloonlife.com/
Phone: 206-935-3649
sayno
“...a word of caution to first-time international pilots: before you commit to an event
check it out and know what you’re getting into. Get an independent opinion from
someone who has either flown the event before, knows the organizers or can offer other
input. Just as you cannot trust every organizer here at home, neither can you abroad.
And don’t succumb to the pressure to fly when you know you shouldn’t. After
traveling long distances and spending lots of money, it can sometimes be difficult to sit
on the ground in marginal conditions and watch other people fly, especially if the
weather hasn’t been cooperating and there’s a chance that you may not get to fly at all.
The consequence of making a wrong decision overseas may be even more severe than
at home...,” Bill Arras, Balloon Life, May 1991, writing about the first Korean balloon
event held in Cheju.
This month’s Special Report recounts what one Canadianpilot called “the balloon
eventfromHell.”Inmid-Aprilaselectgroupof balloonistsaroundtheworldwere
invitedto the Korean islandof Chejufor the ’99 ChejuInternational Hot Air Balloon
Fiesta.InvitationssentoutinlateFebruarypromised$1,200intravelmoney,free
balloon rental, accommodations, and meals provided. All you had to do was get yourself
toCheju and bringyour own balloonburner.
What seemed like a deal too good to be true turned into a nightmare a long way from
home.Balloon Life interviewed several participants tobring you aninside story of this
tragic event, an event thatcost atleast one person his life and seriousinjuries to many
others.
In16yearsthatIhavebeenwritingand
publishingsafetyarticlesandcoveringballoon
events, I have never heard anything to compareto
this tragedy. The fragile thread that connects life
in the air is unraveled by first-hand accounts and
pictures.Oneparticipantsaid,“Ihaveanew
appreciationforwhatourcertificationsdofor
us.”
While readingTragedy in Cheju,ask your-
self at what point in the decision making process
would youhave walkedaway? This event,asa
casestudy, presentsbettertrainingthanallthe
government and private industry study materials
on pilot decisionmaking.
Tragedy in Chejuis asomber wakeupcall
forsettinghigh,uncompromisingstandards—
your life dependson it.
