On Thursday 6 July 2000 at about 0915, Aoraki Balloon Safaris Aerostar S81A hot air balloon ZK-SKY was on a local flight in good weather near Methven with 13 passengers and 2 crew. During a go-around following a missed approach to land, the balloon descended to a position where a power line could not be avoided. After contacting the earth wire the balloon could not be climbed clear, so it was descended between the live power conductors underneath, to land without injury or damage.
The incident probably resulted from misjudgement by the handling pilot, and insufficiently close monitoring of his actions by the pilot-in-command.
