What happened
On August 3, 2018, a Cameron Balloons US A-250 hot air balloon, registration N2025J, completed a revenue sightseeing flight near Hartsel, Colorado. The flight, operated by Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides, departed from a field approximately 6 miles northwest of the accident site at 0717 mountain daylight time.
During the landing in a flat field, the basket bounced several times and dragged for approximately 40 to 50 feet. The pilot reported that due to moderate winds of 7 to 8 mph, the crew expected the basket might tip over. After the basket came to a complete stop in an upright position, the co-pilot released the hot air to deflate the envelope. During this deflation process, the basket tipped over onto its side.
As the basket tipped, two female passengers fell from the upper left compartment, with one landing on top of the other. The 73-year-old passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the 65-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries, including a broken wrist and shoulder pain. The two pilots and the remaining seven passengers were not injured.
The investigation
An FAA inspector found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies in the balloon or its components. The investigation noted that the pilots had provided both an initial flight briefing and a pre-landing briefing. Passengers were instructed to crouch with knees bent, hold onto two basket straps, face the direction of travel, and brace against the side wall because a rough landing was expected. The passengers reportedly understood that the basket might tip over.
An autopsy performed by the El Paso County Coroner determined the cause of death for the 73-year-old passenger was blunt force neck trauma.
Findings
Investigators concluded that while the passengers were briefed on landing procedures, it is likely the two injured passengers were not actively holding onto the basket at the moment it tipped over. Although discrepancies were noted between the balloon and basket manuals regarding which direction passengers should face during landing, investigators determined that facing a different direction likely would not have prevented the passengers from falling out.