Firefly Balloons Firefly 8B-15 N7067F accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.

NTSB analysis

The balloon pilot reported that, after establishing level flight at 300 feet above ground level, he initiated an approach for landing, with a 200 feet per minute rate of descent. The balloon landed hard and bounced three times. The balloon was undamaged, but a passenger sustained serious leg and rib injuries. The pilot of the balloon reported that the technique of bending the knees upon landing was omitted in his passenger briefing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA368 for the full record.