Aerostar RX8 N9015Y

Summary

On 22 October 2016 at about 12:38 local time, a Aerostar RX8 registered N9015Y, operated by Up Up Away HOT Air Balloon Co, was involved in an accident near Mount Ulla, North Carolina, United States. 5 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

22 October 2016 at 12:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Mount Ulla, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.6928, -80.7106

Aircraft

Aerostar RX8

Registration

N9015Y

Category

Balloon

Year built

1997

Operator

Up Up Away HOT Air Balloon Co

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Statesville → Mount Ulla

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA029

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger's failure to follow the pilot's instructions for properly securing herself during landing, which resulted in her serious injury when the balloon landed hard and the basket was dragged.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Before departing on a revenue sightseeing balloon flight, the commercial pilot briefed the passengers about landing procedures. After being airborne for nearly 1 hour with increasing wind (which was forecast), the pilot identified a landing field and initiated an approach. Before landing, he again briefed the passengers that they needed to hold onto the handles with both hands, and to expect a "bouncy and hard landing." As the balloon approached the field, the pilot noted that the surface winds had significantly increased and informed the passengers to face the direction of travel with their knees bent, to expect a bounce, and that, after touchdown, the basket may tip onto its side. Before touchdown, he had to again instruct one passenger to hold on; he then pulled the envelope deflation line. After a hard landing, the basket leaned onto its side, and the passenger who was instructed to hold on and who was only using one hand to do so, put her arms outside the basket. Another passenger grabbed her, and the basket then became airborne slightly, followed by another landing. The basket tipped over, and the balloon was dragged a short distance across the field before stopping. One passenger sustained a fractured vertebrae and wrist, while the other occupants were not injured.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.