Probable cause
The passenger's failure to adequately brace herself for the landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the balloon stated that at the conclusion of the 1-hour flight, with two passengers, he conducted a typical landing to a "level, grassy" golf course fairway. During the landing, one of the passengers "lost [her] footing" in the gondola, fell, and slid into the pilot. The pilot then fell onto the passenger, fracturing her ankle. The pilot did not mention if he gave the passengers a prelanding briefing prior to the landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA211 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 2, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Durhamville, New York
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Firefly AX8B
- N-number
- N1514G
- Category
- Balloon
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.