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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 14, 1996 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 Firefly 8B · N2577G

Ft. Lupton, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 5 uninjured
Location
Ft. Lupton, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 Firefly 8B
Tail Number
N2577G
Operator
Just Do Balloons
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW96LA212

During landing, the basket tipped over and one of the passengers had her arm out. It was caught between the basket and the ground. The passengers had been briefed to keep their arms inside the basket during landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pasenger's failure to follow the instructions given by the pilot during a briefing.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 1996, at 0730 mountain daylight time, a Firefly 8B-15 balloon, N2577G, landed hard near Fort Lupton, Colorado. The balloon was not damaged and the pilot and five passengers were not injured. A sixth passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this air tour balloon flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Dacono, Colorado, at 0630. The pilot said his weather briefer predicted winds of 8 to 10 knots for landing and accordingly he pre briefed his passengers prior to the flight. He said he briefed them again prior to approach, and specifically concerning keeping their arms inside the basket. According to the pilot, the basket tipped over on its side following touchdown and one of the passengers' arm ended up between the basket and the ground. Medical examination, following the accident, provided information that the passenger's arm was broken. This was the first balloon ride for all the passengers.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 Firefly 8B
Tail NumberN2577G
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorJust Do Balloons
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 5 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total6
Crew 1Age 38 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data