Pilot, 28, Thrown from Hot Air Balloon After It Slams into Building

A tragic hot air balloon accident in Poland has killed a young aviation instructor who friends and colleagues say lived for the skies.

Officials in the city of Zielona Góra said 28-year-old pilot Jagoda Gancarek was ejected from the balloon’s basket when it crashed into a building on Krzywoustego Street on Monday, March 9. Prosecutors said first responders tried to revive her at the scene, but she died despite life-saving efforts. Her body was secured for an autopsy after investigators examined the rooftop where she was found.

Two other women who were riding in the balloon were taken to the hospital with injuries. Authorities said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Now, investigators are working to figure out what went wrong. The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zielona Góra and Poland’s aircraft accident investigators are both looking into the cause of the crash.

Gancarek was reportedly connected to Lubusz Land Aeroclub, a local aviation organization where she trained and later helped train other pilots. In an emotional statement, the club described her as a passionate instructor with extensive experience, adding that she shared her knowledge with others and also flew as a “firefighter pilot.”

The club said she would be remembered for her love of flying and the energy she brought to the aviation community. They also noted a major milestone in her career: Gancarek had won the title of Polish Women’s Champion at the 11th Women’s Balloon Championship in 2025.

A funeral for Gancarek is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, according to a notice shared by a local funeral home.

Hot air balloon accidents are rare, but when they happen, investigators typically look at weather conditions (especially wind and sudden gusts), equipment issues, and what happened during takeoff or landing—moments widely considered the most dangerous phases of balloon flight. In this case, officials have not publicly confirmed what caused the balloon to veer into a building.

For now, Zielona Góra is mourning a young pilot whose career was rising fast — and ended in a split second.