Aviation Accident Summary ERA10CA211

Durhamville, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N1514G

FIREFLY AX8B

Analysis

The pilot of the balloon stated that at the conclusion of the 1-hour flight, with two passengers, he conducted a typical landing to a "level, grassy" golf course fairway. During the landing, one of the passengers "lost [her] footing" in the gondola, fell, and slid into the pilot. The pilot then fell onto the passenger, fracturing her ankle. The pilot did not mention if he gave the passengers a prelanding briefing prior to the landing.

Factual Information

The pilot of the balloon stated that at the conclusion of the 1-hour flight, he conducted a "typical" landing to a "level, grassy" golf course fairway. During the landing, one of the passengers "lost [her] footing" in the gondola, fell, and "slid" into the pilot. The pilot then fell onto the passenger, fracturing her ankle. The pilot did not mention if he gave the passengers a prelanding briefing prior to the landing.

Probable Cause and Findings

The passenger's failure to adequately brace herself for the landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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