Thunder and Colt AX-10 N834TC

Summary

On 31 August 1997 at about 23:30 local time, a Thunder and Colt AX-10 registered N834TC was involved in an accident near Akron, Pennsylvania, United States. 10 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 August 1997 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Akron, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.1608, -76.1992

Aircraft

Thunder and Colt AX-10

Registration

N834TC

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stroudsburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA176

1 person was seriously injured.

failure of a passenger to hang onto the ropes, as directed; which allowed another passenger to be struck as the basket tipped over, broking her arm. A related factor was the wind, which was strong enough to tip the basket, while the envelope was deflating.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Before landing, the balloon pilot briefed the passengers to hold onto ropes on the side of the basket and to duck down when told. The pilot performed a steep approach, and the balloon touched down hard. The balloon bounced and came to rest upright. The pilot continue to deflate the envelope; however, the winds caught the envelope and tipped the basket over. One passenger received a broken arm, when another passenger fell against her. The pilot reported that during the landing, the wind velocity was about 8 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.