Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA12CA328

Clermont, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N990BR

ULTRAMAGIC N425

Analysis

At the completion of a balloon flight, the balloon touched down while moving at 4 mph and bounced. An adult passenger did not maintain her grip on the hand-holds and fell into another passenger, breaking that passenger’s wrist. According to the operator, the multi-passenger, partition-basket balloon was used for sightseeing flights. The passengers were given a briefing card and briefed at the operator's facility before being bused to the launch site, where a more detailed briefing was provided by the balloon’s pilot. The items briefed included the location of hand-holds and the proper stance at touchdown.

Factual Information

According to the operator, the multi-passenger, partition-basket balloon was used for sightseeing flights in central Florida. The passengers were given a briefing card and briefed at the operator's facility, prior to being bused out to the launch site where a more detailed briefing was provided by the pilot of each balloon. The items briefed included the location of hand-holds and proper stance at touchdown. At the completion of its flight, the accident balloon touched down at 4 miles per hour. An adult passenger then fell into her child, breaking the child's wrist.

Probable Cause and Findings

The balloon passenger's failure to maintain her grip during landing, which resulted in a fall and injury to another passenger.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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