# Accident 20230921014749A: Avian Balloon SKYHAWK, Bucyrus, OH, September 21, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 21, 2023, 18:50 local time
- Place: Bucyrus, OH
- Damage: No damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.8709° N, 82.9021° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8709&lon=-82.9021&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2067Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2067Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Avian Balloon SKYHAWK (registry code 0900104, https://openairdocs.org/model/avian-balloon-skyhawk) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAN BALLOON SKYHAWK
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA377) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230921014749A

## Narrative

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

THE FLIGHT LAUNCHED FROM A FIELD NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF THE PILOT, AT AROUND 1800 HOURS WITH TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE DISTANCE OF THE FLIGHT WAS APPROXIMATELY 11 MILES, DURATION 50 MINUTES.

THE LANDING SITE WAS FLAT, WITH POWER LINES RUNNING ACROSS THE EASTERN, WESTERN, AND SOUTHERN EDGES OF THE FIELD. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN EDGE IS APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEET. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN EDGE IS APPROXIMATELY 1100 FEET.

THE LANDING WAS INITIATED FROM THE EAST TO WEST DIRECTION. THE BALLOON CROSSED THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE FIELD OVER THE POWERLINES. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE BECAME CONCERNED WITH THE POWERLINES ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE FIELD.  SHE EXECUTED THE MANEUVER FOR TOUCHDOWN AND ADVISED THE PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR LANDING. ONCE THE BALLOON BASKET TOUCHED DOWN IT BOUNCED THAN DRAGGED ACROSS THE FIELD. THE BALLOON CAME TO A FULL STOP APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF THE DISTANCE OF THE FIELD AND TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS FELL, HITTING HER KNEE IN THE PROCESS. LATER THAT DAY, THAT PASSENGER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT TIBIA.

NO OTHER INJURIES REPORTED, AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE OBSERVED ON THE BALLOON BASKET.

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT NORMALLY LAND IN AN AREA WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF POWER LINES.

## 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 ERA23LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA377), Sep 21, 2023: Avian Balloon Skyhawk (N2067Q), Bucyrus, OH, minor damage. Probable cause: The balloon pilot’s bounced landing, which resulted in the basket tipping over and a serious injury to a passenger.

## Other reports on N2067Q (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20080923857189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080923857189A), Sep 23, 2008: Avianw SKYHAWK (N2067Q), Bucyrus, OH, No damage. While inflating the balloon, 2 passengers boarded and while the third passenger was boarding a gust of wind lifted the basket and knocked the 72 year old woman…

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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