Pilot Debrief

Lindstrand 105A near Lawton, OK — 2019-08-23

Final reportCEN19TA328
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Date
2019-08-23
Location
Lawton, OK, USA
Aircraft
Lindstrand 105A
Registration
N7172D
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A hard landing, which resulted the basket tipping over and a passenger sustaining a serious injury.

NTSB narrative

Following a revenue sightseeing flight, the pilot landed the balloon hard in an open pasture, then the basket tipped over and was dragged by the balloon about 20 ft before it came to a stop. The pilot stated that after the accident, he saw one of his adult male passengers laying on top of his elderly mother in the bottom of the basket. The 85-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured passengers were properly positioned before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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