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October 14, 2004 · Raven Industries S-60A · C-GGAX

Auburn, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 14, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Auburn, ME
Aircraft
Raven Industries S-60A
Tail Number
C-GGAX
Operator
Derald Young
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
IAD05IA004

During the descent, the pilot elected to decelerate the balloon by brushing the basket through an apple tree. During the maneuver, a branch from the tree came in contact with one of the passenger's hands, cutting it. The accident was downgraded to an incident when it was learned that the passenger's injuries were minor.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's maneuver into a tree, which resulted in an inadvertent contact between a branch and a passenger.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 2004, at 1755 eastern daylight time, a Raven Industries, Inc. S-60A balloon, Canadian registry C-GGAX, was not damaged when it contacted a tree near Auburn, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot and passengers were not injured, and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight. According to the pilot, during the descent the balloon encountered a downdraft. He activated the burners in order to ascend the balloon, and overshot the intended landing area. He then attempted to decelerate the balloon by brushing the basket through an apple tree. A branch from the tree came in contact with one of the passenger's hands, cutting it. Initial reports indicated that the passenger had sustained a serious injury during the accident. It was later learned that the injuries were minor, and the accident was subsequently downgraded to an incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:55 EDT
Nearest AirportAuburn/Lewiston Muni Airport (5nm SW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven Industries S-60A
Tail NumberC-GGAX
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorDerald Young
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 48
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data