The Basket Touched Down Firmly, Bounced Several Times And Came To Rest On Its Side

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Accident Number: CEN24LA302
Date & Time: August 2, 2024, 07:00 Local Registration: N26464
Aircraft: ARBC Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Hard landing Injuries: 1 Serious, 8 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Business

Analysis: Following an uneventful flight, the pilot descended the balloon at a steep angle into a vacant field. The pilot had briefed the passengers on the proper brace position before the flight and then again just before the landing. The basket touched down firmly, bounced several times and came to rest on its side. Following the landing a passenger experienced pain in his leg. It was later determined the passenger had a broken ankle. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operations. 

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 the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov