Probable cause
The balloon pilot’s inability to maintain altitude during un-forecasted weather, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The balloon pilot reported that after about 50 minutes of uneventful flying, the wind increased to about 11 miles per hour (mph) while traveling to the southwest. Immediately after, the wind abruptly shifted 180º and increased to about 20 miles per hour. The balloon descended and impacted terrain, slid about 30 yards, and came to rest on its side. The balloon sustained minor damaged, and a passenger sustained a serious broken ankle injury.
The weather study revealed that the weather encountered was not forecasted.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA262 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 3, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jackson, Wyoming
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Head AX8 88
- N-number
- N45303
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 1988
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
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.