The pilot of the balloon reported that, while flying level, in preparation for landing near Davenport, Florida, he brushed the basket in the top of a tree to slow the forward speed. After slowing, he conducted a standup landing with no basket tip over. After securing the balloon, one of the passengers reported that her foot was injured.
The injured passenger reported that, prior to landing, the pilot announced they were coming in too fast for landing, and he was going to hit the treetops too slow them down. He instructed the passengers to assume the landing position.
She then felt a “hard whiplash-like impact” and heard the snapping of tree branches. Upon landing, she experienced pain in both ankles and was unable to immediately get out of the basket.
She declined immediate medical attention offered by the pilot at the scene, and again during the drive back to the operator’s base.
She elected to seek medical attention later that day and was initially diagnosed with a “bad sprain” of her left ankle. However, a follow up visit with a doctor later identified fractures in both of her ankles.
Another passenger reported that, while not familiar with balloon landings, the landing “seemed hard and was a shock.”
He added they had not been previously briefed that such a shock may occur during landing.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious injury to a passenger.
This December 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
That is true Bill…plus all typically sign a waiver of litigation ,similar for aerobatics,skydiving etc…the pilot was really trying to set down downwind of tree line.(thus the narrative “we came in and brushed the tree tops”…NTSB has no idea how a high wind landing is made!!First thing we are taught…down wind of a tree line will frequently provide “wind shadow”…this pilot demonstrated superior balloon piloting skills!A fact that a typical NTSB investigator is sadly lacking..
Unfortunate. It may surprise some fixed and rotary wing pilots to learn that hot air and gas balloons are not required to be equipped with any passenger restraint system. Prior to landing, passengers are only typically instructed to hold on to rope handles woven into the basket and to bend their knees just prior to ground impact.
Bill P.