Probable cause
The passenger lost her grip during landing in a balloon which resulted in her hitting the ground with her shoulder and suffering a serious injury.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while slowing the balloon and preparing for landing, he briefed the passengers how to position themselves and where to hold on for landing. During the landing upon contact with the ground, the basket “pitched forward” and the female passenger lost her grip. Her shoulder struck the ground and the male passenger fell on top of her. After the balloon came to a full stop, the female passenger complained of extreme shoulder pain. During a postaccident medical examination, it was determined that the female passenger suffered a broken clavicle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA238 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 8, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hot Springs, South Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Hot Springs (None)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aerostar International Inc RX 8
- N-number
- N9158Z
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2008
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.