NTSB CAROL · Event
Event MKC84LA287
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
WHILE THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS AIRBORNE, THE SURFACE WINDS INCREASED TO 13 KTS. THE PLT INSTRUCTED BOTH PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. CONTRARY TO THE PLT'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE PASSENGER, WHO BECAME INJURED, CROUCHED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET FOR THE LANDING. THE BALLOON BOUNCED 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A SMALL DITCH. DURING THE LANDING, THE PASSENGER'S KNEE STRUCK AN ANGULAR FOOT RAIL WHICH WAS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BASKET. THE RAIL HAD BEEN MADE OF HEAVY, SHARPLY ANGLED METAL. THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A TORN QUADRICEP TENDON. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1984_MKC84LA287.txt.
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