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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 23, 2001 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · N72524

Celina, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Celina, TX
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15
Tail Number
N72524
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW01LA154

The commercial balloon pilot was demonstrating an upslope landing on a terraced hill. The balloon bounced on one of the terraces, and the student pilot was "thrown forward." The student pilot lost her footing, one of her shoes became lodged in the bottom of the basket, and she sustained a broken ankle. The instructor aborted the landing, and landed the balloon at the next available field.

NTSB Probable Cause

the unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot-in-command which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the uneven/rough terrain.

Full Narrative

On June 23, 2001, approximately 2015 central daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 hot air balloon, N72524, was not damaged during a hard landing near Celina, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the student pilot received serious injuries. The balloon was owned and operated by the student pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight departed McKinney, Texas, approximately 1900. The instructor and student pilot stated that during the instructional flight, the instructor had demonstrated several approaches and landings. During a landing to an upward sloping terraced hill, the balloon bounced on one of the terraces, and the student pilot was "thrown forward." The student pilot had lost her footing, one of her shoes became lodged in the bottom of the basket, and she sustained a broken ankle. The instructor aborted the landing, and landed at the next available field.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15
Tail NumberN72524
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · Unknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1None · None
Crew 2Age 41 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind140° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data