Lindstrand LBL120A N5595L
17 June 2011 · Le Center, Minnesota, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 17 June 2011 at about 01:50 local time, a Lindstrand LBL120A registered N5595L, operated by Edward J. Chapman, was involved in an accident near Le Center, Minnesota, United States. 5 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 01:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Le Center, Minnesota, United States
- Coordinates
- 44.4667, -93.7500
- Aircraft
- Lindstrand LBL120A
- Registration
- N5595L
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Edward J. Chapman
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Prior Lake → New Prague
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN11CA398
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Probable cause
The failure of the passenger to follow the pilot's instructions during landing, which caused the pilot to be ejected from the balloon and sustain serious injuries.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the pilot, the accident occurred as he attempted to land the hot air balloon in a 7-8 knot wind. The pilot stated that he briefed the passengers regarding the landing procedures prior to the landing. The first three landing approaches were aborted due to obstacles. During the fourth approach the pilot shut off the pilot lights for the balloon's burner and instructed the passengers to brace prior to touchdown. The basket touched down and rotated forward, which the pilot expected. He stated he was deflating the envelope when one of the passengers began to stand up and was nearly ejected from the basket as it touched down a second time. The pilot stated he grabbed the passenger's belt to prevent her from falling out of the basket which resulted in him being in an unstable position. With the next bump, the pilot was ejected from the basket. The pilot held onto the deflation line and was drug by the basket, sustaining serious injuries. The ground crew instructed the passengers to pull the "red line" deflation valve allowing the balloon to come to a stop.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2011 | Robinson R44 II | Hackensack, Minnesota, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 10 Nov 2011 | Airbus A320 211 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Delta Air Lines Inc | No injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 2011 | Robinson R22 BETA | Hibbing, Minnesota, United States | Casey M. Hansen | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 2011 | Air Tractor AT-502 | Fergus Falls, Minnesota, United States | Farmers Union Oil Company | No injuries | - |
| 27 Aug 2011 | Cessna 182C | Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Aug 2011 | Van's RV-12 | Windom, Minnesota, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |