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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 24, 2004 · Avian Falcon II · N15053

Middletown, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Middletown, OH
Aircraft
Avian Falcon II
Tail Number
N15053
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC04CA177

After about a 1 hour flight, the pilot elected to land the balloon in an open field. He noticed that the surface winds had increased to about 11 to 12 knots, and briefed the passenger prior to landing. The balloon touched down in the field, and began to drag along the ground. The basket tipped forward, and the passenger fell out of the basket. The balloon became airborne again, cleared a tree line, and touched down in an adjacent field. The balloon envelope came to rest draped over a power line. The passenger stated she was briefed by the pilot prior to landing; however, she was unable to hold on. Winds reported at an airport located about 16 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 050 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger's inadvertent fall from the basket, during landing. A factor in this accident was the windy conditions.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 2004, about 0930 eastern daylight time, an Avian Falcon II balloon, N15053, sustained minor damage while landing in a field near Middletown, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and a passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were participating in the Ohio Challenge Balloon Festival. According to the pilot, after about a 1 hour flight, he elected to land in an open field. The pilot noticed that the surface winds had increased to about 11 to 12 knots, and briefed the passenger prior to landing. The balloon touched down in the field, and began to drag along the ground. The basket tipped forward, and the passenger fell out of the basket. The balloon became airborne again, cleared a tree line, and touched down in an adjacent field. The balloon envelope came to rest draped over a power line. The passenger sustained a fractured rib, and three spinal compressions. During an interview, the passenger stated she was briefed by the pilot prior to landing; however, she was unable to hold on. She added that she believed the basket may have contacted a fence during the landing. In a follow-up interview, the pilot stated that the balloon touched down just beyond a single strand electric fence. The basket then tipped over, as it was being dragged by the wind. Winds reported at an airport located about 16 miles northeast of the accident site, at 0853, were from 050 degrees at 10 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAvian Falcon II
Tail NumberN15053
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter30.27 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data