ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 217611
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| Date: | Saturday 22 October 2016 |
| Time: | 08:38 |
| Type: |  Aerostar RX-8 |
| Owner/operator: | Up Up Away Hot Air Balloon Company |
| Registration: | N9015Y |
| MSN: | RX8-3293 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1997 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 528 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Mount Ulla, NC -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Statesville, NC (SVH) |
| Mount Ulla, NC | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Before departing on a revenue sightseeing balloon flight, the commercial pilot briefed the passengers about landing procedures. After being airborne for nearly 1 hour with increasing wind (which was forecast), the pilot identified a landing field and initiated an approach. Before landing, he again briefed the passengers that they needed to hold onto the handles with both hands, and to expect a "bouncy and hard landing." As the balloon approached the field, the pilot noted that the surface winds had significantly increased and informed the passengers to face the direction of travel with their knees bent, to expect a bounce, and that, after touchdown, the basket may tip onto its side. Before touchdown, he had to again instruct one passenger to hold on; he then pulled the envelope deflation line. After a hard landing, the basket leaned onto its side, and the passenger who was instructed to hold on and who was only using one hand to do so, put her arms outside the basket. Another passenger grabbed her, and the basket then became airborne slightly, followed by another landing. The basket tipped over, and the balloon was dragged a short distance across the field before stopping. One passenger sustained a fractured vertebrae and wrist, while the other occupants were not injured.
Probable Cause: The passenger's failure to follow the pilot's instructions for properly securing herself during landing, which resulted in her serious injury when the balloon landed hard and the basket was dragged.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Nov-2018 08:35 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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