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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 19, 2014 · Firefly 8B-15 · N15095

Security, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Security, CO
Aircraft
Firefly 8B-15
Tail Number
N15095
Operator
Howes Skip
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CEN14CA215

The pilot reported the wind was from the north-northwest at 6 knots when they departed and the balloon traveled to the southeast as expected. When they descended to land the wind velocity increased to 20 plus knots and the wind changed 90 degrees in direction moving them to the west. The pilot attempted to land twice and aborted both landings due to the wind and terrain conditions. The pilot briefed the passenger, who was very familiar with balloon operations, that they were going to make a high wind landing. The passenger stated he crouched down in the basket for the landing and as the triangular basket touched down and turned to its flat side, he felt his ankle roll. The basket lay down and once the balloon stopped they crawled out of the basket. The passenger stated he knew he injured his ankle and a couple days later he was diagnosed with a fractured tibia.

NTSB Probable Cause

An unexpected increase in wind velocity which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent passenger injury.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported the wind was from the north-northwest at 6 knots when they departed and the balloon traveled to the southeast as expected. When they descended to land the wind velocity increased to 20 plus knots and the wind changed 90 degrees in direction moving them to the west. The pilot attempted to land twice and aborted both landings due to the wind and terrain conditions. The pilot briefed the passenger, who was very familiar with balloon operations, that they were going to make a high wind landing. The passenger stated he crouched down in the basket for the landing and as the triangular basket touched down and turned to its flat side, he felt his ankle roll. The basket lay down and once the balloon stopped they crawled out of the basket. The passenger stated he knew he injured his ankle and a couple days later he was diagnosed with a fractured tibia.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFirefly 8B-15
Tail NumberN15095
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorHowes Skip
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 28 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data