The incident occurred in Zielona Góra, Poland, on Monday, March 9
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1057x768:1059x770):format(webp)/Jagoda-Gancarek-031426-03-003d1ee40682444d9407845e74bb55ae.jpg)
Jagoda Gancarek.Credit : Jagoda Gancarek/Facebook
An aircraft pilot was fatally injured when the hot air balloon she was in with two others crashed in Poland.
On Monday, March 9, Jagoda Gancarek was “ejected” from the basket of a hot air balloon when it crashed into a building on Krzywoustego Street in Zielona Góra, the city’s District Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
“The woman who fell from the balloon basket was resuscitated, but despite life-saving measures, she could not be revived,” according to the statement. “The prosecutor examined the scene where the body was discovered on the building’s roof, and the body was secured for an autopsy.”
Gancarek had been riding the hot air balloon with two other women, who were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(591x1127:593x1129):format(webp)/Jagoda-Gancarek-031426-02-27cca52375db4c0dbf31502eeb3e34a0.jpg)
Jagoda Gancarek.Jagoda Gancarek/Facebook
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zielona Góra and the State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation are investigating the cause of the incident.
The hot air balloon is believed to have belonged to Lubusz Land Aeroclub, where Gancarek worked as a pilot, according to the Polish news outlet Fakt. She completed a pilot training course at the club in 2022 before going on to train other future pilots.
Lubusz Land Aeroclub shared a statement regarding the incident on Instagram, saying, “It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic death of our colleague, pilot of the Lubuska Aeroclub, Jagoda Gancarek.
“Jagoda lived her passions as a flight instructor. She also flew as a firefighter pilot,” the statement continued. “She had a lot of aviation experience and shared that experience with others.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(914x509:916x511):format(webp)/Jagoda-Gancarek-031426-01-5ecbb2a2ed90491b91ee56537365be64.jpg)
Jagoda Gancarek.Jagoda Gancarek/Facebook
The club said that Gancarek, who won the title of Polish Women’s Champion at the 11th Women’s Balloon Championship in 2025, will be remembered for her “passion” and “love of flying.”
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and all the members of the Lubuska Land Aeroclub. We send our deepest condolences. 🖤,” Lubusz Land Aeroclub’s statement concluded.
A funeral is being held for Gancarek on Saturday, March 14, according to the Polish funeral home Jasica Zakład Pogrzebowy’s Facebook page.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zielona Góra and the State Commission on Aircraft Accidents did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment.
News
🚨 MY BABY IS IN THERE… — HEARTBREAKING CCTV FOOTAGE SHOWS MOM SCR-EAMING AS THIEVES STEAL HER CAR IN QUEENSLAND
A shaken Townsville mother has broken her silence after her car was stolen with her newborn baby inside, in the latest brazen vehicle theft to rock Queensland. Sarah, whose surname has been withheld, said she was unloading rubbish from her car…
SH0CKING TWIST IN ‘CURSED’ LAKE DISAPPEARANCE — 21-YEAR-OLD CASE TAKES DARK NEW TURN JUST HOURS LATER…
Authorities and family members identified the victim as Terrell Shelton. Terrell Shelton.Credit : GoFundMe A 21-year-old man was found dead in a Georgia lake over the weekend. Terrell Shelton, 21, of Pendergrass, disappeared in the waters of Lake Lanier, off the…
🚨 THAT LOOK SAID IT ALL… — KATE MIDDLETON REACTS AS PROTESTERS BOO THE ROYAL FAMILY AT TROOPING THE COLOUR, A MOMENT THAT IS NOW SPARKING WIDE DISCUSSION…
The heckling also caught the attention of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Kate Middleton and Prince Louis travel by carriage at Trooping the Colour in London on June 13, 2026.Credit : Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Kate Middleton noticed protestors as they booed…
🚨 MUM BREAKS SILENCE AFTER HER BABY IS KIDN-APPED DURING BRAZEN CAR THEFT IN QUEENSLAND
A shaken Townsville mother has broken her silence after her car was stolen with her newborn baby inside, in the latest brazen vehicle theft to rock Queensland. Sarah, whose surname has been withheld, said she was unloading rubbish from her car…
🚨 KATE MIDDLETON RELEASES EMOTIONAL NEW MESSAGE ABOUT ONE OF HER MOST SENSITIVE ROYAL CAUSES
The Princess of Wales is celebrating the “joyful and nurturing environments” of children’s hospices. Princess Kate at Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice near Cardiff, Wales in January 2025.Credit : Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty In a poignant new message, Kate Middleton is inviting people…
🚨 MEL MCLAUGHLIN REVEALS ONE SH0CKING DETAIL ABOUT HER HEALTH JOURNEY, A HEARTFELT MOMENT THAT HAS MOVED THOUSANDS OF FANS
Channel Seven sports presenter Mel McLaughlin has revealed she has had half a lung removed due to her cancer battle as she made an emotional post while watching Australia beat Turkey at the World Cup. The well-known figure, who revealed she…
End of content
No more pages to load