# Accident 20100912047089A: Head Balloo AX8-88, Fort Wayne, IN, September 12, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 12, 2010, 07:30 local time
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Damage: No damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.1975° N, 84.8453° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1975&lon=-84.8453&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2064W, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2064W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Head Balloons AX8-88 (registry code 4280200, https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HEAD BALLOO AX8-88
- Reported engine: N/A N/A
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 605 total, 600 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN10CA543](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA543) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100912047089A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2010, AT APPROXIMATELY 0745 LOCAL TIME A HOT AIR BALLOON REGISTERED TO WINDSWEPT AERONAUTS, INC. OF FORT WAYNE INDIANA LAUNCHED FROM RIVERSIDE PARK JUST NORTH OF FORT WAYNE, IN., ON A SIGHT SEEING TOUR WITH THE PILOT AND TWO PERSONS ON BOARD. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH LIGHT WINDS 7 TO 8 MPH. THE BALLOON TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION WHEN THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE # ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, ATTEMPTED TO SET THE BALLOON DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ANTWERP AND KILLIAN ROADS.THE PILOT WAS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE GROUND CREW WHILE HE WAS STEPPING DOWN HIS DESCENT TO LAND. THE BALLOON WAS ABOUT EIGHT FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TRAVELING ACROSS A BEAN FIELD. THE PILOT SAID THAT THERE WAS A DRAINAGE DITCH JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BEAN FIELD AND THAT THE GROUND CREW DID NOT COMMUNICATE THE DEPTH OR SIZE OF THE DITCH. THE GROUND CREW WAS STANDING BY TO RECEIVE THE BALLOON AND TRIED TO PREVENT THE BALLOON FROM LANDING IN THE DITCH. DESPITE THE EFFORT OF THE GROUND CREW THE BALLOON ENTERED THE TEN FOOT DEEP DITCH. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER CLAIMED THAT THE BASKET DID NOT TIP OVER OR LAND ON ITS SIDE. THE INJURY OCCURED WHEN ONE OF THE PASSENGERS LOST THEIR BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST THE OTHER PASSENGER BREAKING THEIR LEG. THE PASSENGER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.A GROUND CREW MEMBER, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ RECEIVED A BRUISED LEG BUT WAS NOT HOSPITALIZED FOR HIS INJURY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN10CA543](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA543), Sep 12, 2010: Head Balloons AX8-88 (N2064W), Ft. Wayne, IN, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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