Lindstrand LBL69A N266LB accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate on approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the pilot sustaining a serious injury. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience flying a standard-shaped balloon.

NTSB analysis

The commercial balloon pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to obtain currency in landings and to practice steep approaches. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger obtained a weather briefing from flight service and also checked the weather at the launch site; the weather conditions were good for the flight. They took off in the balloon and began tracking to the south. The pilot immediately began practicing approaches and landings. She performed three approaches and full-stop landings on road intersections without any problems. She began the fourth approach to a road about 1,000 ft above ground level. The pilot reported that she misjudged the approach and that, upon landing, the balloon hit the road's edge hard. The pilot was thrown forward and hit the basket bolster with her chest. The balloon bounced and then touched down on the opposite side of the road. The basket then tipped over and was dragged about 10 ft before it stopped. The pilot sustained broken ribs during the accident.

The pilot reported that the accident balloon was a standard-sized balloon, which was different from the racing balloon that she usually flew, and that the racing balloons climb and descend differently. It is likely that the pilot's lack of recent experience flying the standard-shaped balloon contributed to her failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA434 for the full record.