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NTSB Report
September 1, 2010 · Head Balloons AX9 118 · N2267U
Hanover, NH
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 6 uninjured
Location
Hanover, NH
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX9 118
Tail Number
N2267U
Operator
Daoust Darrek N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ERA10CA462
The pilot stated that he was conducting a sightseeing flight just prior to sunset when the balloon encountered updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in an effort to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed powerlines in the vicinity and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.
NTSB Probable Cause
The balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated that he was conducting a sight seeing flight just prior to sunset and the balloon encountered some updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in order to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed power lines and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:25 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHead Balloons AX9 118
Tail NumberN2267U
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorDaoust Darrek N
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 6 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total7
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind160° @ 3 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC