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NTSB Report
July 29, 1995 · Head Balloons AX8-88 · N4516R
Mesquite, TX
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Mesquite, TX
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX8-88
Tail Number
N4516R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW95LA323
A SUSTAINED GUST OF WIND OF 15-20 MPH DRAGGED THE BASKET ALONG THE GROUND DURING LANDING. A CREWMEMBER FELL OUT OF THE BASKET WHEN HE STOPPED HOLDING ON TO THE BASKET TO PUT HIS HANDS OVER HIS GLASSES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT ABORT THE LANDING DUE TO THE LOCATION OF A POWERLINE TRACK.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND THE CREWMEMBER'S FAILURE TO HOLD ONTO THE BASKET. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH WIND.
Full Narrative
On July 29, 1995, at 0800 central daylight time (CDT), one crewmember received serious injuries during landing in a Head AX8-88 balloon, N4516R. The private pilot and one other crewmember were not injured. The balloon sustained minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Paschall Park in Mesquite, Texas at 0720 CDT. In the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that he experienced a "sustained gust of wind of 15-20 mph" while landing. "The high winds [drug] the balloon for about 100 feet" when one crewmember "rolled out" when "he put his hands over his glasses and quit holding to the basket." He further stated that he could not abort the landing due to the location of a "powerline track."
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHead Balloons AX8-88
Tail NumberN4516R
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 53 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 15 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO