Battle Creek, MI, USA
N8085G
Cameron Balloons O-77
A passenger aboard a personal balloon flight was seriously injured during a hard landing on a hay field. The pilot described the field as having trees at its west and east ends. The pilot reported that as he cleared the western row of trees the balloon's rate of descent was too steep and it landed hard. Recorded winds, 10 miles southwest of the accident site, were from the southwest at 10 knots.
On July 4, 2003, at 0800 eastern daylight time, a Cameron Balloons O-77, N8085G, encountered a hard landing approximately 10 miles northeast of Battle Creek (BTL), Michigan. The pilot was not injured, but the passenger was seriously injured. The balloon was not damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed a field near BTL at 0630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported attending a balloon festival the morning of the accident. The pilot reported that while attempting to land, he felt the rate of descent was more than normal and the approach was too steep. The balloon landed hard, and the passenger sustained serious back injuries. At 0753, the weather at BTL was reported as: wind 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported a total flight time of 250 hours in the make and model of the accident balloon, of which 200 hours were as pilot in command. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.
The pilot's excessive descent rate. Factors to the accident were the trees lining the landing area.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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