Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW95LA280

LITTLETON, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N2232H

BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7

Analysis

DURING A NORMAL LANDING, FOLLOWING A 30 MINUTE FLIGHT, THE GONDOLA TIPPED ON ITS SIDE TRAPPING THE PILOT'S RIGHT ARM UNDER THE GONDOLA. THE PILOT SUSTAINED A FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT FOREARM, THE BALLOON WAS NOT DAMAGED.

Factual Information

On July 8, 1995, at 0700 mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Balloon Works Firefly 7 Balloon, N2232H, sustained serious injuries during landing in Littleton, Colorado. The balloon was not damaged on this local area personal flight which departed Chatfield Reservoir Park, Littleton, Colorado, at 0630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, the basket tipped on its side during the landing in a residential area and trapped her arm underneath causing her to sustain a fracture to the right forearm. Reported wind at the nearest facility, 7 miles east of the accident site, was 190 degrees at 5 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE BALLOON DURING LANDING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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