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NTSB Report
July 10, 1988 · Balloon Works AX-8 · N7108
Purcellville, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Purcellville, VA
Aircraft
Balloon Works AX-8
Tail Number
N7108
Operator
Ballon Unlimited
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
BFO88LA066
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A WIND GUST OCCURRED DURING LIFT OFF. A PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON WENT LATERALLY ABOUT 50 TO 75 YDS WHERE IT STRUCK SEVERAL OBSTACLES; A FENCE, A UTILITY LINE, AND A TREE. THE PLT SAID HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND THE BALLOON EVENTUALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS BEGAN INCREASING SO HE DECIDED TO LAND. THE PLT SAID HE LANDED HARD AND THE FORCE EJECTED HIM AND A PAX FROM THE GONDOLA. AFTER THE PLT WAS EJECTED, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF AGAIN WITH FOUR PASSENGERS ABOARD. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON LIFTED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD THE PLT YELLING TO PULL THE VALVE LINE, WHICH HE DID. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND LANDED HARD; THE BALLOON COLLAPSED ON THE GONDOLA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT LANDED THE HOT AIR BALLOON AT AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. WIND GUST ARE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A WIND GUST OCCURRED DURING LIFT OFF. A PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON WENT LATERALLY ABOUT 50 TO 75 YDS WHERE IT STRUCK SEVERAL OBSTACLES; A FENCE, A UTILITY LINE, AND A TREE. THE PLT SAID HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND THE BALLOON EVENTUALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS BEGAN INCREASING SO HE DECIDED TO LAND. THE PLT SAID HE LANDED HARD AND THE FORCE EJECTED HIM AND A PAX FROM THE GONDOLA. AFTER THE PLT WAS EJECTED, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF AGAIN WITH FOUR PASSENGERS ABOARD. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON LIFTED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD THE PLT YELLING TO PULL THE VALVE LINE, WHICH HE DID. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND LANDED HARD; THE BALLOON COLLAPSED ON THE GONDOLA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works AX-8
Tail NumberN7108
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorBallon Unlimited
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · T-3 · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured4
Total6
Crew 1Age 43 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC