N9002Z

Unknown
Serious

AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL S57AS/N: S57A-3133

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 15, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA257
Location
Hilliard, OH
Event ID
20100518X61902
Coordinates
39.986946, -83.206947
Aircraft Damage
Unknown
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The passenger’s inadequate brace for the balloon landing, resulting in injury.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9002Z
Make
AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL
Serial Number
S57A-3133
Year Built
1992
Model / ICAO
S57A

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
T F HAMPTON VENTURES INC
Address
920 EATON AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
COLUMBUS
State / Zip Code
OH 43223-2404
Country
United States

Analysis

After a 50-minute, late afternoon balloon flight, the pilot executed a normal touch down onto a flat grassy area. A weather station 8 miles to the northeast reported the surface wind was five miles per hour at the time of the accident. All of the occupants were facing forward for the touchdown and the pilot had previously instructed both passengers how to hold on to two points and how to flex their knees for the first impact of landing. At the first impact with the ground, the 82 year old female passenger sank to the floor of the balloon basket. It was immediately apparent to the other passenger that she had been injured. After the basket stopped moving, the pilot deflated the balloon and the pilot, the other passenger, and a bystander assisted the injured passenger in exiting. The injured passenger was transported to the hospital and treated for a broken leg. The other occupants were not injured and the balloon was not damaged. The uninjured passenger said the pre-takeoff safety briefing and the before landing safety briefing were simple and clearly understood.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA257