Coroner asks for amateur ballooning review

Peter Gregory, known as Pilot Pete, died in a hot air balloon crash in 2023

A coroner has said he will ask the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to launch a review into amateur air ballooning following the death of a pilot in Worcestershire.

Peter Gregory, from Cirencester in Gloucestershire, was killed after his balloon collided with a tree in Ombersley on 25 June 2023.

An inquest heard how the 25-year-old died from sustaining multiple injuries in the crash after his balloon malfunctioned.

Coroner David Reid said he would be sending a prevention of future deaths report to the CAA to ask them to consider if the activity needed to be regulated in the future.

The inquest heard from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which said his balloon's envelope collapsed and it likely resulted in the parachute stalling, causing the fatal drop.

The AAIB said windy weather on the day was also a likely factor as Mr Gregory ascended to the sky rapidly, it also highlighted the narrow design of the balloon, which made the risk of failure greater.

'He was very adventurous'

Mr Gregory, affectionately known as Pilot Pete, had previously taken part in piloting competitions and won the Junior World Balloon Championships for Britain.

Andrew Gregory, Peter’s father, told the inquest: “Peter was so determined to do well.

"Peter wanted to buy his own plane and fly around the world, it was one of the things we spoke about – he was very adventurous.”

Peter’s brother Dan Gregory also wrote evidence for the inquest.

He said: “He got his balloon licence on his 17th birthday – Peter was really into his ballooning, he was passionate about teaching the next generation of pilots.

“When he wasn’t working, he was always flying a balloon.”