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NTSB Report
June 25, 1994 · Head Balloons AX7-77 · N21WR
West Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
West Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX7-77
Tail Number
N21WR
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI94LA284
THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS OCCUPIED THE BALLOON BASKET. DURING THE LANDING ONE PASSENGER WAS HOLDING A CHILD. WHEN THE BALLOON LANDED HARD, THE INDIVIDUAL HOLDING THE CHILD SUSTAINED A FRACTURE TO HIS ANKLE. THE PILOT AND OTHER TWO PASSENGERS REPORTED NO INJURIES.
NTSB Probable Cause
the pilot's failure to maintain proper descent rate.
Full Narrative
On June 25, 1994, at 0720 central daylight time, a Head AX7-77, N21WR, registered to Wesley S. Rinker of Sanford, Florida, and operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a hard landing. The balloon received no damage. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Geneva, Illinois, at approximately 0625. The balloon pilot stated that the passenger who was injured was holding his daughter on impact and fractured his ankle. He gave no explanation for the hard landing. The passenger stated that during the approach to landing the balloon oscillated and on landing the basket swung into a mound of dirt.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHead Balloons AX7-77
Tail NumberN21WR
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 61 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT