| Crash location | 39.850000°N, 83.116667°W |
| Nearest city | Grove City, OH
39.881452°N, 83.092964°W 2.5 miles away |
| Tail number | N71696 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 21 Jun 2003 |
| Aircraft type | Aerostar International RX 8 |
| Additional details: | None |
On June 21, 2003, at 0800 eastern daylight time, an Aerostar International Inc. RX 8 balloon, N71696, was not damaged while landing in a field near Grove City, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured; however, a second passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, he was participating in the Big Bear Balloon Festival competition called, "Hare and Hound." As the balloon was setting down, the basket "wobbled a little," and a passenger slipped on the floor, breaking her ankle.
The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.
The passengers failure to maintain her balance inside the balloon basket.