Head AX9 118 accident near New Holland, Pennsylvania, August 16, 2015
On August 16, 2015, a 2014 Head AX9 118 (balloon), registered N40104, suffered minor damage in an accident during standing near New Holland, Pennsylvania. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to adequately secure the vent line, which resulted in the premature deflation of the balloon’s envelope and its subsequent contact with power lines. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's choice of an unsuitable landing area, which had power lines opposite the approach end, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance from the lines during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2015
- Place
- New Holland, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Head AX9 118, built 2014
- Registration
- N40104 · registry record · serial 439
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that he chose to land the balloon about 45 minutes into the planned 1-hour flight because sunset was approaching. The pilot chose an approximate 150-ft wide, 500 ft-long field for the landing. The pilot advised the ground crew, who were in radio and visual contact, of the intended landing zone, and he was aware of the power lines opposite the approach end of the field. During the final approach to the field, the basket grazed several rows of corn. It then struck the ground and bounced along it for about 50 ft before the ground crew was able to grab the basket and stop it. The pilot then began the shutdown procedures, and the ground crew informed him that the envelope was deflating prematurely. The pilot then noted that the vent line, which was normally secured to the basket, had loosened from its anchoring point and gotten caught between the ground and the basket during the landing sequence, allowing the envelope to deflate. He pulled the vent line free, but the envelope continued to collapse as the wind blew it toward the power lines; the basket remained stationary with the passengers still inside. The top third of the envelope draped over the power lines, which resulted in electrocution-related injuries to the passengers and pilot.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during standing
- Loss of control on ground during standing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Decision related to condition
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 519 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 519 as pilot in command; 15 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 22, 2015
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 24, 2015; 82 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Intercourse PA
- Destination: New Holland PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on January 15, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Record of Interview with Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Interview Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photographs | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Video File of Approach and Landing | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.