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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 10, 1997 · Aerostar S-60A · N7154E

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Aerostar S-60A
Tail Number
N7154E
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW98LA010

The pilot said he gave his passengers a preflight briefing that included the positions to assume during landing in the hot air balloon. After flying for about 30 minutes, a landing approach was initiated. The pilot instructed his passengers to assume the landing position, which they did. The position consists of facing the direction of travel, knees slightly bent, and grasping the handholds. The landing 'was (made) at 200 feet per minute.' The pilot (who is a physician) said that when the balloon touched down, one passenger fell to a squatting position and her foot was 'laterally rotated 45 degrees,' sustaining 'an open reduction (fracture) with internal fixation' of her ankle.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger failing to follow the pilot's instructions as to the proper brace position to assume for landing.

Full Narrative

On October 10, 1997, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International S-60A hot air balloon, N7154E, sustained no damage during a hard landing at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. A third passenger, however, sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Albuquerque approximately 0830. The pilot said this was his second flight of the day. He gave his passengers a preflight briefing that included the positions to assume during landing. After flying for about 30 minutes, a landing approach was initiated. He instructed the passengers to assume the landing position, which they did. The position consists of facing the direction of travel, knees slightly bent, and grasping the handholds. The pilot said the landing "was (made) at 200 feet per minute." The pilot (who is a physician) said that when the balloon touched down, one passenger fell to a squatting position and her foot was "laterally rotated 45 degrees," sustaining "an open reduction (fracture) with internal fixation" of her ankle.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar S-60A
Tail NumberN7154E
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 43 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data