Primary finding
Probable cause
The balloon tipping over during deflation, which resulted in a passenger injury.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The balloon pilot reported that, during touchdown, the basket made very light impact, swung around, and stopped. He added that, as the balloon deflated, the basket tipped over on its side. While assisting passengers out of the basket, a passenger told the pilot that she had a broken arm. The pilot reported that she stated to him that believed that another passenger had possibly fallen on her when the basket tipped over. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The balloon pilot reported that, during touchdown, the basket made very light impact, swung around, and stopped. He added that as the balloon deflated, the basket laid over on its side. While assisting passengers out of the basket, the female passenger told the pilot that she had broken her arm. The pilot reported that, after picking her up from the hospital, she believed that another passenger had possibly fallen on her when the basket laid over. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.