ULTRAMAGIC N425 near Clermont, FL — 2012-04-16

Probable cause

The balloon passenger's failure to maintain her grip during landing, which resulted in a fall and injury to another passenger.

NTSB narrative

At the completion of a balloon flight, the balloon touched down while moving at 4 mph and bounced. An adult passenger did not maintain her grip on the hand-holds and fell into another passenger, breaking that passenger’s wrist. According to the operator, the multi-passenger, partition-basket balloon was used for sightseeing flights. The passengers were given a briefing card and briefed at the operator's facility before being bused to the launch site, where a more detailed briefing was provided by the balloon’s pilot. The items briefed included the location of hand-holds and the proper stance at touchdown.

NTSB coding

• Cabin safety event · Landing-flare/touchdown

Evidence available

• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Briefing Card (Former)form
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Pilot Interview Summaryinterview
• Briefing Card (Revised)other
• Correspondence with Operator (Pre Flight Briefings)other

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