Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 14, 1996, at 0730 mountain daylight time, a Firefly 8B-15 balloon, N2577G, landed hard near Fort Lupton, Colorado. The balloon was not damaged and the pilot and five passengers were not injured. A sixth passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this air tour balloon flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Dacono, Colorado, at 0630.

The pilot said his weather briefer predicted winds of 8 to 10 knots for landing and accordingly he pre briefed his passengers prior to the flight. He said he briefed them again prior to approach, and specifically concerning keeping their arms inside the basket.

According to the pilot, the basket tipped over on its side following touchdown and one of the passengers' arm ended up between the basket and the ground. Medical examination, following the accident, provided information that the passenger's arm was broken. This was the first balloon ride for all the passengers. the pasenger's failure to follow the instructions given by the pilot during a briefing.