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NTSB Report

August 9, 2004 · Head Balloons AX8-88 · N83063

Baton Rouge, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2004
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX8-88
Tail Number
N83063
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW04CA193

The 784-hour balloon pilot reported that while attempting a landing to a field with tall grass, the basket of the balloon impacted a concrete culvert. The pilot stated that one of the two passengers was ejected from the basket and the balloon started to ascend. After regaining control of the balloon, the pilot made an uneventful landing in an adjacent field. The pilot added that the wind was observed at 6 knots, gusting to 10 knots, prior to takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A contributing factor was the high vegetation.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2004, approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Head Balloons Inc. AX8-88 hot air balloon, N83063, sustained minor damage following a collision with a concrete culvert during landing near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured, and one of the two passengers sustained minor injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The hot air balloon was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a staging area near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at an unknown time. The 784-hour balloon pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that prior to the flight, he briefed his passengers about the characteristics of the balloon and how it would drag during landing before it would stop. He added that he also explained how they would need to "bend their knees and hold on tight" during landing. Prior to inflating the balloon, the pilot observed the wind at 6 knots, gusting to 10 knots. After an uneventful flight, he observed a field where another balloon had landed and decided to land. After briefing his passengers that the landing may be hard due to the fast groundspeed, he leveled the balloon off just above some tall grass. The balloon touched down and started to drag on its side for approximately 15 feet. Subsequently, the basket of the balloon impacted a concrete culvert that was obscured by tall grass. The pilot stated that one of the two passengers was ejected from the basket and the balloon started to ascend. After regaining control of the balloon, the pilot made an uneventful landing in an adjacent field. At 1853, the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, reported wind from 070 degrees ad 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 6,000 feet above ground level, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHead Balloons AX8-88
Tail NumberN83063
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data