CircumFlightN6533Q Cameron A 210 accident
NTSB GAA19CA484 · 2019-08-02 · Hume, NY
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot reported that, after the balloon encountered a thermal en route, he decided to land it in a hayfield surrounded by a wooded area. He added that the balloon was "driven down into the tree branches," and when over the hayfield, it descended and bounced hard to about 10 ft as he deflated the envelope. The balloon landed hard again and then deflated. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Full narrative
The balloon pilot reported that, after encountering a thermal en route, he decided to land the balloon in a hayfield surrounded by a wooded area. The balloon was "driven down into the tree branches" and, when over the hayfield, the balloon descended and bounced hard. The balloon bounced about 10 ft as he deflated the envelope. The balloon landed hard once more and deflated. One passenger received serious injuries.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 50
- Wind speed (kt)
- 3
- Temperature (F)
- 68
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N6533Q | Cameron | A 210 | — | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enroute Other weather encounter | Climb |
| 2 | Landing Hard landing defining | Cruise |