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NTSB Report

May 9, 2005 · Ultramagic N-250 · N3002J

Del Mar, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 9 uninjured
Location
Del Mar, CA
Aircraft
Ultramagic N-250
Tail Number
N3002J
Operator
Dick B Cochran
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX05LA162

The balloon landed hard in rough, uneven terrain injuring one of the nine passengers. After departure the balloon drifted in a south easterly direction between the altitudes of 500 feet and 2,000 feet above ground level for a period of 40 minutes. The pilot briefed the passengers for landing, flew over some power lines, and landed in a construction site. The balloon had a high rate of descent when it landed and bounced, followed by a second touchdown bounce, and then came to rest. The injured passenger stated that they received a good briefing from the pilot prior to landing. She said that they landed hard in uneven terrain, bounced, landed hard a second time, bounced, and then the basket came to rest lopsided on a hillside. She said she fractured her tibia and fibula during the second landing bounce. She said she was prepared for the first landing but did not expect the bounce and second landing touchdown. The pilot indicated in the accident report that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to arrest the high rate of descent and an inadequate bounced landing recovery technique. a factor in the accident was the rough, uneven terrain.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2005, at 1930 Pacific daylight time, an Ultramagic N-250 hot air balloon, N3002J, landed hard in a field 2 miles east of Del Mar, California. The balloon was operated by the commercial balloon pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a commercial revenue sightseeing flight. One of the 9 passengers was seriously injured during the landing; the remaining 8 passengers and the pilot were not injured. The balloon was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Rancho Santa Fe, California, at 1850. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that the balloon departed from the Del Mar Palms area carrying 9 passengers. They drifted in a southeasterly direction between the altitudes of 500 feet and 2,000 feet above ground level (agl) for a period of 40 minutes. He briefed the passengers for landing, flew over some power lines, and landed in a construction site. The balloon had a normal first bounce followed by a second touchdown and a short skid to a stop. The passenger fractured her leg during the second touchdown. The injured passenger stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that they received a good briefing from the pilot prior to landing. She continued to state that they landed hard in uneven terrain, bounced, landed hard a second time, bounced, and then the basket came to rest lopsided on a hillside. She said she fractured her tibia and fibula during the second landing bounce. She said she was prepared for the first landing but did not expect the bounce and second landing touchdown. The pilot indicated in the accident report that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the balloon.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftUltramagic N-250
Tail NumberN3002J
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorDick B Cochran
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats15

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 9 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured9
Total10
Crew 1Age 50 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time02:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data