NTSB Factual Report

On August 11, 2003, about 1800 central daylight time, a passenger was seriously injured during landing in the Raven S-60A balloon, N2789N, in which the passenger was riding. The accident occurred in Slayton, Minnesota. The balloon was piloted by a student pilot in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot and the other 4 passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Slayton, Minnesota, about 1700.

The injured passenger contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and informed an inspector of the accident. The passenger's right leg was broken in two locations during a rough landing. The passenger informed the FAA that she was a paying passenger in the balloon at the time of the accident.

The recorded weather at Pipestone Municipal Airport, Pipestone, Minnesota, located 23.7 nautical miles to the west of the accident site reported the winds at 1816 as: 090 degrees at 6 knots.

At the time of the accident, the pilot held a student pilot certificate issued on December 30, 2002.

14 CFR Part 61.89 states in part:

General limitations.

(a) A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:

(1) That is carrying a passenger;

(2) That is carrying property for compensation or hire;

(3) For compensation or hire;

(4) In furtherance of a business;

The pilot did not inform the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the accident, and no NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was received from the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The excessive descent rate during the balloon's landing by the student pilot.