Head Balloons AX9 118 n2267U

Summary

On 1 September 2010 at about 23:25 local time, a Head Balloons AX9 118 registered n2267U, operated by Daoust Darrek N, was involved in an accident near Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. 7 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 2010 at 23:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Hanover, New Hampshire, United States

Coordinates

43.6261, -72.3042

Aircraft

Head Balloons AX9 118

Registration

n2267U

Category

Balloon

Operator

Daoust Darrek N

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Quechee → Quechee

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ERA10CA462

1 person was seriously injured.

The balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting a sightseeing flight just prior to sunset when the balloon encountered updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in an effort to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed powerlines in the vicinity and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.