Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rochester, New York
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Hume, New York
Accident Number: GAA19CA484
Date & Time: August 1, 2019, 20:00 Local
Registration: N6533Q
Aircraft: Cameron A 210
Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 Serious, 8 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation
Analysis
The pilot reported that, after the balloon encountered a thermal en route, he decided to land it in a hayfield surrounded by a wooded area. He added that the balloon was "driven down into the tree branches," and when over the hayfield, it descended and bounced hard to about 10 ft as he deflated the envelope. The balloon landed hard again and then deflated. One passenger sustained serious injuries.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Descent rate - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Thermal lifting - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Other weather encounter
Landing Hard landing (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 67,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Balloon
Restraint Used: None
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 27, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2690 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1000 hours (Total, this make and model), 2690 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cameron
Registration: N6533Q
Model/Series: A 210 No Series
Aircraft Category: Balloon
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Balloon
Serial Number: 6617
Landing Gear Type: None
Seats: 9
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 16, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3470 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 0
Airframe Total Time: 477.6 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOLE,2136 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 23:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 217°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 50°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Letchworth, NY
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 7 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 8 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.475833,-78.137222(est)
HUME, New York — Three people suffered minor injuries in two separate hot air balloon crashes in Allegany County.
The first accident happened Thursday just before 8pm on Mills Road in the Town of Hume.
State Police say the hot air balloon pilot from Portageville told them a thermal uplift caused the balloon to spiral. He tried to navigate and became lodged in some tree branches. A downward draft pulled the balloon down.
One person suffered a minor injury. Everyone was transferred back to Letchworth State Park.
The second accident happened about 10 minutes later on County Route 23, also in the Town of Hume. The pilot was forced to land after winds became too strong.
Two passengers were ejected when the balloon landed. Their injuries were minor.
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