On 5 Jun 2019, a Cameron A-275 No Series operated by Red Rock Balloons was involved in an aviation accident near Sedona, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The balloon’s encounter with rough terrain, which resulted in a bounced landing and a ground crewmember sustaining serious injuries. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During a balloon landing, a ground crew member jumped into the basket, then was ejected after the balloon bounced on rough terrain hidden by tall grass, suffering serious injuries.
Incident Details
According to the balloon pilot, the incident occurred as the balloon touched down. At that moment, a ground crew member jumped into the basket to add his weight. As the balloon was coming to a stop, it encountered rough terrain hidden by tall grass. The balloon bounced, and the ground crew member was ejected from the basket, landing on the ground. The balloon then came up off the ground again and passed over the crew member. The crew member sustained serious injuries as a result.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. No further details regarding the cause of the incident were provided.