Pilot Debrief

HEAD BALLOONS INC AX9 118 near Hanover, NH — 2010-09-01

Final reportERA10CA462
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Date
2010-09-01
Location
Hanover, NH, USA
Aircraft
HEAD BALLOONS INC AX9 118
Registration
n2267U
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting a sightseeing flight just prior to sunset when the balloon encountered updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in an effort to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed powerlines in the vicinity and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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