NTSB publishes report on balloon accident

BRADFORD—The hot air balloon pilot who died last month in a fall over Bradford had just re-lit the burner shortly before the basket collided with the ground ejecting him and a passenger.
According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, Brian Boland and four passengers took off in a balloon from the Post Mills airport at around 6:30 p.m. on July 15.
About 45 minutes later, after traveling northeast above the Connecticut River on a sightseeing trip, Boland reported that the pilot light on the burner was not lit. After changing the propane bottle, Boland could not find the striker to relight the burner. As he searched the basket for the striker, the balloon descended.