N2064W

Unknown
Serious

HEAD BALLOONS INC AX8-88S/N: 340

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, September 12, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA543
Location
Ft. Wayne, IN
Event ID
20100916X94754
Coordinates
41.197498, -84.845275
Aircraft Damage
Unknown
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
HEAD BALLOONS INC
Serial Number
340
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
AX8-88
Aircraft Type
Balloon
No. of Engines
0
Seats
4
FAA Model
AX8-88

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
WINDSWEPT AERONAUTS INC
Address
PO BOX 15741
City
FORT WAYNE
State / Zip Code
IN 46885-5741
Country
United States

Analysis

The balloon was airborne for approximately 30 minutes prior to the pilot setting up for a landing in a grassy area alongside a road. The pilot reported the ground crew informed him that there was a ditch running parallel to the side of the road. However, the pilot reported he did not know the depth of the ditch. The local winds were 6 to 7 miles per hour at the time of the landing. The pilot reported he briefed the passengers for the landing. The balloon touched down in a bean field, about 20 feet from the grass area, and the ground crew grabbed the basket as it moved into the grass. The ground crew was not able to stop the basket and it traveled into the 10-foot deep ditch. The balloon came to rest at the bottom of the ditch with the ground crew still hanging on. One of the two passengers on board suffered a fractured leg. The injured passenger stated that she thought that either the other passenger or the pilot hit her leg during the landing. There was no damage to the balloon envelope or basket.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA543