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NTSB Report
July 4, 1995 · Thunder And Colt AX7-77 · N5402V
Santa Fe, NM
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Aircraft
Thunder And Colt AX7-77
Tail Number
N5402V
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW95LA267
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A HIGH WIND LANDING WITH 2 PASSENGERS ONBOARD WHEN THE BASKET STRUCK A TREE STUMP AND DUMPED THE PILOT OUT OF THE BASKET. THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF WITH THE 2 PASSENGERS STILL ONBOARD, STRIKING THE ROOF OF A HOUSE. THE GROUND CREW RADIOED THE PASSENGERS TO PULL THE CANOPY LANYARD, THE PASSENGERS FOLLOWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND THE BALLOON LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING FOR THE HIGH WIND LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND THE TREE STUMP.
Full Narrative
On July 4, 1995, at 0745 mountain daylight time, a Thunder AX7-77, N5402V, was undamaged while landing near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local balloon flight. During interviews, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot and the ground crew stated that the pilot was making a "high wind landing." The basket impacted a tree stump and tipped the basket over, dumping the pilot out of the basket. The balloon became airborne again with its two passengers and struck the roof of a residence. The ground crew instructed the passengers, by radio, to pull the crown rope and release the hot air. The balloon subsequently landed safely.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftThunder And Colt AX7-77
Tail NumberN5402V
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 15 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO