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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 8, 1996 · Aerostar RX 8 · N3581D

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Aerostar RX 8
Tail Number
N3581D
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW97LA023

The pilot said that while aloft, surface winds increased to 15 knots, and he briefed his passengers on high wind landing procedures. The balloon touched down and the basket tipped over. One passenger fell against another passenger and fractured his leg.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 1996, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International RX 8, N3581D, was not damaged during landing at Albuquerque, New Mexico. One passenger sustained a serious injury, but the commercial pilot and another passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Albuquerque on October 8, approximately 0900. On January 7, 1997, the pilot was contacted by telephone. He stated he had sent a completed accident report to FAA's Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in Albuquerque. A FSDO spokesman said they had never received a report from the pilot. Another accident report was sent to the pilot. The report was received on February 3, 1997. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (attached), a passenger braced her foot against a propane tank in preparation for landing. Upon landing, the passenger sustained a fractured bone just above the ankle. The pilot had previously told an FAA inspector (who had been monitoring the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta) that while aloft, surface winds had increased to 15 knots and he briefed his passengers on high wind landing procedures. When the balloon touched down, the basket tipped over and a passenger fell against another passenger, fracturing his leg. The pilot did not include the names of his passengers in his accident report. According to the FAA, however, the pilot and two passengers were aboard the balloon at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar RX 8
Tail NumberN3581D
Aircraft CategoryBall
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
Wind10° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data