Summary
On October 08, 2018, a Ultramagic N 250 (N275WB) was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, NM. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 12 people uninjured out of 13 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The balloon tipping over during deflation, which resulted in a passenger injury.
The balloon pilot reported that, during touchdown, the basket made very light impact, swung around, and stopped. He added that as the balloon deflated, the basket laid over on its side.
While assisting passengers out of the basket, the female passenger told the pilot that she had broken her arm. The pilot reported that, after picking her up from the hospital, she believed that another passenger had possibly fallen on her when the basket laid over.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA030. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N275WB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The balloon tipping over during deflation, which resulted in a passenger injury.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The balloon pilot reported that, during touchdown, the basket made very light impact, swung around, and stopped. He added that as the balloon deflated, the basket laid over on its side.
While assisting passengers out of the basket, the female passenger told the pilot that she had broken her arm. The pilot reported that, after picking her up from the hospital, she believed that another passenger had possibly fallen on her when the basket laid over.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA030