# NTSB CHI06CA160: Head Balloons AX8-88, N83030, Gretna, NE, June 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2006, 19:35 local (Jun 12, 2006, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Gretna, NE - Coordinates: 41.140834, -96.243614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1408&lon=-96.2436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63962/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA160 ## Probable cause A run-on landing encountered by the pilot of the balloon due to the prevailing winds. The unfavorable winds were a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, landing - run on landing - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) ## Analysis After the local sightseeing balloon flight, one passenger sustained a broken arm when the balloon basket tipped over as it contacted the ground upon landing. A second passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot was uninjured. The balloon was not damaged. The pilot reported that based on a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver the balloon's groundspeed was approximately 8 miles-per-hour as it approached for landing. He noted that because he expected the balloon basket to tip over upon contact with the ground, he decided to execute a high wind approach and landing. The pilot stated that the passengers were briefed to hold on at two locations within the basket and to keep their knees bent in order to absorb impact forces. He reported that the balloon was stabilized about 4 feet off the ground prior to landing, the burner pilot light was extinguished, and the envelope deflation port was opened. He stated that when the basket contacted the ground and began to tip forward, one of the passenger's arms became trapped beneath her, fracturing her forearm. Local surface winds were observed to be 6 knots about the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative After the local sightseeing balloon flight, one passenger sustained a broken arm when the balloon basket tipped over as it contacted the ground upon landing. A second passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot was uninjured. The balloon was not damaged. The pilot reported that based on a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver the balloon's groundspeed was approximately 8 miles-per-hour as it approached for landing. He noted that because he expected the balloon basket to tip over upon contact with the ground, he decided to execute a high wind approach and landing. The pilot stated that the passengers were briefed to hold on at two locations within the basket and to keep their knees bent in order to absorb impact forces. He reported that the balloon was stabilized about 4 feet off the ground prior to landing, the burner pilot light was extinguished, and the envelope deflation port was opened. He stated that when the basket contacted the ground and began to tip forward, one of the passenger's arms became trapped beneath her, fracturing her forearm. At 1935, the Millard Airport (MLE) Automated Surface Observing System, recorded winds from 050 degrees at 6 knots. MLE was located approximately 6 miles from the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83030](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83030), registered now, S/N 268 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-88 - Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (registry code 4280200) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 268 - Airframe hours: 146 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2006 - Departed: Omaha, NE - Destination: Gretna, NE - Airport: MLE, Millard ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review November 1, 2005; flight hours: 132 total, 100 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: MLE, 6 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060611010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060611010979A), Jun 11, 2006: Head AX888HEAD, Gretna, NE. (-23) Pilot landed in an ultralight field. When the balloon touched down the balloon was traveling at about 8 knots, which the pilot verified with his global… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.