STILWELL, KS, USA
N2006W
AVIAN BALLOON MAGNUM IX
With darkness approaching and a lack of suitable landing sites, the pilot attempted to set the balloon down in a small clear area. During the approach, the balloon brushed the top of a tree. Beyond the tree, the pilot allowed an abrupt landing in a field. One passenger fell on another resulting in serious injuries being inflicted.
On September 21, 1996, at 1930 central daylight time, an Avian Balloon Magnum IX, N2006W, registered to Balloon Safaris, Inc., of Tigard, Oregon, experienced a hard landing. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The other five passengers, and the pilot reported no injuries. The balloon received no damage. The accident occurred in a rural area near Stilwell, Kansas. The 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight departed a field near Bucyrus, Kansas, at 1830 on a local flight in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot stated that he had attempted a landing prior to the landing where the passenger suffered serious injuries; however, he had abandoned the attempt when a land owner became irate. He said with darkness approaching and suitable landing sites becoming hard to find, he made an attempt to land in a small clearing. On the approach the basket "brushed through a tree top" and then touched down in what he said was abrupt. It was during the landing that the passenger received serious injuries. The injured passenger stated that when the basket came into contact with the ground that another passenger fell on her and that is how she was injured. Other passengers interviewed, stated that the landing was abrupt, but no one else reported any injuries.
the pilot's not maintaining adequate clearance from a tree, and his allowing an abrupt touchdown. Factors relating to the accident were: dusk and the proximity of tree(s).
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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