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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 25, 2014 · Head AX8 88B · N20671

Montevallo, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Montevallo, AL
Aircraft
Head AX8 88B (2009)
Tail Number
N20671
Operator
Davis William a Jr
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ERA15CA035

At the conclusion of a sightseeing flight, the pilot was descending the balloon for landing in a field he had partially observed through trees. He reported that the wind speed was between 10-15 knots. As he vented the envelope and the field came into full view, he noted that there was "not much room to land;" estimating the field to be about 60-70 yards in length. The basket touched down hard and was dragged along the ground before coming to rest. The pilot and one passenger were not injured; the second passenger fell during the landing and sustained fractures to both arms. The balloon was not damaged. The pilot stated that the preflight passenger briefing included the proper brace position for landing. The pilot also reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to conduct a landing to a confined area in high wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent injury to a passenger.

Full Narrative

At the conclusion of a sightseeing flight, the pilot was descending the balloon for landing in a field he had partially observed through trees. He reported that the wind speed was between 10-15 knots. As he vented the envelope and the field came into full view, he noted that there was "not much room to land;" estimating the field to be about 60-70 yards in length. The basket touched down hard and was dragged along the ground before coming to rest. The pilot and one passenger were not injured; the second passenger fell during the landing and sustained fractures to both arms. The balloon was not damaged. The pilot stated that the preflight passenger briefing included the proper brace position for landing. The pilot also reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

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

Aircraft

AircraftHead AX8 88B
Tail NumberN20671
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorDavis William a Jr
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 54
Altimeter29.50 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data