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Aviation instructor and pilot Jagoda Gancarek died in a hot air balloon crash in Poland on Monday, March 9
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“She has a wealth of aviation experience that she shares with others,” the Lubbs Land Aero Club said in a statement.
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Two other women who were also in the balloon were taken to hospital with injuries sustained in the accident
A pilot has been seriously injured after a hot air balloon she was traveling with two others crashed in Poland.
Jagoda Gancarek crashed into a building on Krzywoustego Street in Zielona Góra on Monday, March 9, “ejecting” from the basket of a hot-air balloon, the city’s District Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
“The woman who fell from the balloon basket was revived, but despite life-saving measures, she could not be revived,” the statement said. “Prosecutors examined the scene where the body was found on the roof of the building and secured the body for an autopsy.”
Gankarek was riding in a hot air balloon with two other women who were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash.
Jagoda Gankarek
Photo credit: Jagoda Gancarek/Facebook
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The Green Mountain District Attorney’s Office and the National Aircraft Accident Investigation Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
The balloon is believed to belong to the Land Aeronautical Club of Lubus, where Gankarek worked as a pilot, Polish news media reported fact. She completed her pilot training course at the club in 2022 and then went on to train other future pilots.
Lubuska Aero Club released a statement on Instagram regarding the incident, saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic passing of our colleague, Lubuska Aero Club pilot Jagoda Gancarek.
“Jagoda put her passion to work as a flight instructor. She also served as a firefighting pilot,” the statement continued. “She had extensive aviation experience and shared that experience with others.”
Jagoda Gankarek
Photo credit: Jagoda Gancarek/Facebook
The club said Gankarek, who won the title of Polish women’s champion at the 11th Women’s Balloon Championships in 2025, will be remembered for her “passion” and “love of flying”.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and all members of the Lubuska Land and Aero Club. Our deepest condolences. 🖤,” a statement from the Lubuska Land and Aero Club concluded.
According to the Facebook page of the Polish funeral home Jasica Zakład Pogrzebowy, Gankarek’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 14.
The Green Mountain District Attorney’s Office and the National Aircraft Accident Board did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for further comment.
Read the original article on People
