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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 11, 2003 · Raven S-60A · N2789N

Slayton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 5 uninjured
Location
Slayton, MN
Aircraft
Raven S-60A
Tail Number
N2789N
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI03LA313

A passenger was seriously injured during a hard landing in the hot air balloon. The injured passenger contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and informed an inspector of the accident. The passenger's right leg was broken in two locations during a rough landing. The passenger informed the FAA that she was a paying passenger in the balloon at the time of the accident. The balloon was piloted by a student pilot. The wind velocity recorded nearest the accident site was 6 knots. 14 CFR Part 61.89 states that a student pilot may not carry passengers, or operate an aircraft for compensation or hire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The excessive descent rate during the balloon's landing by the student pilot.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 2003, about 1800 central daylight time, a passenger was seriously injured during landing in the Raven S-60A balloon, N2789N, in which the passenger was riding. The accident occurred in Slayton, Minnesota. The balloon was piloted by a student pilot in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot and the other 4 passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Slayton, Minnesota, about 1700. The injured passenger contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and informed an inspector of the accident. The passenger's right leg was broken in two locations during a rough landing. The passenger informed the FAA that she was a paying passenger in the balloon at the time of the accident. The recorded weather at Pipestone Municipal Airport, Pipestone, Minnesota, located 23.7 nautical miles to the west of the accident site reported the winds at 1816 as: 090 degrees at 6 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot held a student pilot certificate issued on December 30, 2002. 14 CFR Part 61.89 states in part: General limitations. (a) A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft: (1) That is carrying a passenger; (2) That is carrying property for compensation or hire; (3) For compensation or hire; (4) In furtherance of a business; The pilot did not inform the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the accident, and no NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was received from the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven S-60A
Tail NumberN2789N
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 5 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total6
Crew 1Age 41 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time23:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data