Head Balloons AX8-88 N83030

Summary

On 12 June 2006 at about 00:35 local time, a Head Balloons AX8-88 registered N83030 was involved in an accident near Gretna, Nebraska, United States. 3 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

12 June 2006 at 00:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Gretna, Nebraska, United States

Nearest airport

Millard (MLE)

Coordinates

41.1408, -96.2436

Aircraft

Head Balloons AX8-88

Registration

N83030

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Omaha → Gretna

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06CA160

1 person was seriously injured.

A run-on landing encountered by the pilot of the balloon due to the prevailing winds. The unfavorable winds were a contributing factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After the local sightseeing balloon flight, one passenger sustained a broken arm when the balloon basket tipped over as it contacted the ground upon landing. A second passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot was uninjured. The balloon was not damaged. The pilot reported that based on a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver the balloon's groundspeed was approximately 8 miles-per-hour as it approached for landing. He noted that because he expected the balloon basket to tip over upon contact with the ground, he decided to execute a high wind approach and landing. The pilot stated that the passengers were briefed to hold on at two locations within the basket and to keep their knees bent in order to absorb impact forces. He reported that the balloon was stabilized about 4 feet off the ground prior to landing, the burner pilot light was extinguished, and the envelope deflation port was opened. He stated that when the basket contacted the ground and began to tip forward, one of the passenger's arms became trapped beneath her, fracturing her forearm. Local surface winds were observed to be 6 knots about the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.