Accident · 2019-04-14
What the record says
- Event date
- 2019-04-14
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- Kubicek BB100 (N355WC)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- Sonoma Thunder Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Sonoma Thunder
Probable cause
The balloon pilot's encounter with unforecasted wind, which resulted in his decision to land in unsuitable terrain and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the severity of passenger injury was the pilot’s failure to provide a proper safety briefing.
Source: NTSB case WPR19TA110Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Flight instructor / Commercial | Airplane | 59 | Class 2 (2018-12-31) | 1,463 total · 90.3 in this make/model · 1,440 as PIC · 7 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.