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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 4, 1998 · Cameron N-120 · N1607G

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Cameron N-120
Tail Number
N1607G
Operator
World Balloon
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN99LA003

The pilot and his passengers went for a short ride at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta when he encountered wind shear. The pilot and a pilot rated passenger executed a burn to control the descent. The burn was unsuccessful. The balloon made a hard landing, and one passenger broke her leg. The balloon was not damaged in the landing, although the basket did tip over while the pilot was attempting to deflate the balloon.

NTSB Probable Cause

The balloon's encounter with unforecasted wind shear and the subsequent inadvertent collision with terrain. A factor was the pilot's inability to control the balloon's descent.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 1998, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cameron N-120 balloon, N1607G, was not damaged when it collided with terrain near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was not injured; however, three passengers received minor injuries and one passenger received serious injuries. The balloon was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot's accident report, he and his passengers went for a short ride at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta when he encountered wind shear. The pilot and a pilot rated passenger executed a burn to control the descent. The burn was unsuccessful. The balloon made a hard landing and one passenger broke her leg. The balloon was not damaged in the landing, although the basket did tip over while the pilot was attempting to deflate the balloon.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron N-120
Tail NumberN1607G
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorWorld Balloon
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured1
Total5
Crew 1Age 56 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data