LAX85LA223

Factual narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING ON DESERT TERRAIN IN NEARLY CALM AIR WHEN A 'STRONG THERMAL WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON 90 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION OF TRACK.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BALLOON LANDED HARD & WAS DRAGGED ABOUT 150 FT ACROSS THE DESERT. WHILE DEPLOYING THE RIP LINE TO EXPEL HOT AIR, THE PLT FELL ONTO A 68 YEAR OLD FEMALE PASSENGER. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, SHE SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A FRACTURED WRIST. REPORTEDLY, THE INJURED PASSENGER HAD OSTEOPOROSIS (CALCIUM DEPLETION OF THE BONES). THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE WIND HAD GUSTED TO 20 KTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12