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NTSB Report
September 30, 1984 · Raven S55A · N8517L
Prairie City, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Prairie City, IA
Aircraft
Raven S55A
Tail Number
N8517L
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
MKC84LA287
WHILE THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS AIRBORNE, THE SURFACE WINDS INCREASED TO 13 KTS. THE PLT INSTRUCTED BOTH PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. CONTRARY TO THE PLT'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE PASSENGER, WHO BECAME INJURED, CROUCHED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET FOR THE LANDING. THE BALLOON BOUNCED 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A SMALL DITCH. DURING THE LANDING, THE PASSENGER'S KNEE STRUCK AN ANGULAR FOOT RAIL WHICH WAS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BASKET. THE RAIL HAD BEEN MADE OF HEAVY, SHARPLY ANGLED METAL. THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A TORN QUADRICEP TENDON.
Full Narrative
WHILE THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS AIRBORNE, THE SURFACE WINDS INCREASED TO 13 KTS. THE PLT INSTRUCTED BOTH PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. CONTRARY TO THE PLT'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE PASSENGER, WHO BECAME INJURED, CROUCHED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET FOR THE LANDING. THE BALLOON BOUNCED 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A SMALL DITCH. DURING THE LANDING, THE PASSENGER'S KNEE STRUCK AN ANGULAR FOOT RAIL WHICH WAS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BASKET. THE RAIL HAD BEEN MADE OF HEAVY, SHARPLY ANGLED METAL. THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A TORN QUADRICEP TENDON.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRaven S55A
Tail NumberN8517L
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time10:00
Weather SourcePILO