Summary
On April 26, 2009, a Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 60X (N877LX) was involved in an accident near Louisville, KY. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The passenger's inadequate bracing during landing.
The pilot of the balloon located a landing area after completing a racing event. The pilot stated that he briefed the passenger prior to the landing, to hold on to the basket handles. The pilot positioned himself in the front of the basket, with the passenger behind him. The landing was a normal, "stand-up landing." The passenger lost her grip from the handles and she consequently pitched forward as they bumped the ground and came to a stop. The passenger complained that her ankle hurt as she exited the basket. At first it was believed the passenger suffered a sprained ankle. A medical evaluation, 2 days later, discovered a fracture above the ankle.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA276. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N877LX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The passenger's inadequate bracing during landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the balloon located a landing area after completing a racing event. The pilot stated that he briefed the passenger prior to the landing, to hold on to the basket handles. The pilot positioned himself in the front of the basket, with the passenger behind him. The landing was a normal, "stand-up landing." The passenger lost her grip from the handles and she consequently pitched forward as they bumped the ground and came to a stop. The passenger complained that her ankle hurt as she exited the basket. At first it was believed the passenger suffered a sprained ankle. A medical evaluation, 2 days later, discovered a fracture above the ankle.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA276