Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain proper descent rate.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 25, 1994, at 0720 central daylight time, a Head AX7-77, N21WR, registered to Wesley S. Rinker of Sanford, Florida, and operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a hard landing. The balloon received no damage. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Geneva, Illinois, at approximately 0625.
The balloon pilot stated that the passenger who was injured was holding his daughter on impact and fractured his ankle. He gave no explanation for the hard landing.
The passenger stated that during the approach to landing the balloon oscillated and on landing the basket swung into a mound of dirt.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA284