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September 12, 2010 · Head Balloons AX8-88 · N2064W

Ft. Wayne, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Ft. Wayne, IN
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX8-88
Tail Number
N2064W
Operator
Windswept Aeronauts
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CEN10CA543

The balloon was airborne for approximately 30 minutes prior to the pilot setting up for a landing in a grassy area alongside a road. The pilot reported that the ground crew informed him that there was a ditch running parallel to the side of the road. The balloon touched down in a bean field, about 20 feet from the grass area, and the ground crew grabbed the basket as it moved into the grass. The ground crew was not able to stop the basket and it traveled into the 10-foot deep ditch. The balloon came to rest at the bottom of the ditch with the ground crew still hanging on. One of the two passengers on board suffered a fractured leg. The injured passenger stated that she thought that either the other passenger or the pilot hit her leg during the landing. There was no damage to the balloon envelope or basket.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C

Full Narrative

The balloon was airborne for approximately 30 minutes prior to the pilot setting up for a landing in a grassy area alongside a road. The pilot reported the ground crew informed him that there was a ditch running parallel to the side of the road. However, the pilot reported he did not know the depth of the ditch. The local winds were 6 to 7 miles per hour at the time of the landing. The pilot reported he briefed the passengers for the landing. The balloon touched down in a bean field, about 20 feet from the grass area, and the ground crew grabbed the basket as it moved into the grass. The ground crew was not able to stop the basket and it traveled into the 10-foot deep ditch. The balloon came to rest at the bottom of the ditch with the ground crew still hanging on. One of the two passengers on board suffered a fractured leg. The injured passenger stated that she thought that either the other passenger or the pilot hit her leg during the landing. There was no damage to the balloon envelope or basket.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHead Balloons AX8-88
Tail NumberN2064W
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorWindswept Aeronauts
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 66 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 48
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data