[PART 1] Markus Stollbacher takes his girl friend Jasmin on their first hot air balloon trip from Gerhardt Hinzinger's company where she works, having taken the standard pilot course there from Gerhard's heir, his buddy Thomas, but the gas burner blocks, so they lose control and crush into mount Dachstein. The Ramsau helicopter rescue is just in time before it crashes down. Jasmin blames Markus, who froze unable to reach her while she dangled, while the Hinzingers, who aren't covered by insurance, even claim damages from Markus, who therefore resolves to find proof of the technical defect. Refusing to trust the police or wait despite his badly hurt arm, he takes his nurse-friend, Jasmin's sister Maya Wehrer, along, while Thomas is as determined to prevent him blaming the firm. The race turns into a bitter fight, leaving both men badly wounded.