6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Kbuicek BB85Z | N4961D

January 14th, 2024 | Eloy, Arizona

Accident Location

  • City: Eloy
  • State: Arizona
  • Latitude: 32.819527
  • Longitude: -111.54458
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Van Der Walt, Cornelius
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 37
  • Pilot Hours: 0
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: January 14th, 2024
  • Time: 7:50 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
  • Total People Onboard: 13
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 3
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 4
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA072
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in allowing a majority of the skydiver load (8 jumpers) to exit the balloon at the same time, thereby collapsing the envelope by rising too quickly and deforming the shape of the envelope. There was no evidence of illegal drugs in the autopsy report of the pilot.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all balloon jump operations become aware of the hazards of non staged jump operations and limit load reduction in sequence.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.