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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 10, 2001 · Aerostar International S81A · N52760

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 10 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Aerostar International S81A
Tail Number
N52760
Operator
Park City Balloon Adventures
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW02LA013

The pilot attempted a landing to an asphalt parking lot, which contained a small building and automobiles. The balloon basket touched down and dragged along the asphalt approximately 60-80 feet. The balloon and basket impacted the small building and a powerline. Upon impact with the building, one passenger sustained a fractured shoulder. The pilot stated the wind at the time of the landing was approximately 10-12 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the selection of an unsuitable landing area by the pilot. A contributing factor was the high wind during the landing.

Full Narrative

On October 10, 2001, at 0830 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International Inc. S81A balloon, N52760, contacted a small building during a high wind landing to a parking lot of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and nine passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The balloon was registered to and operated by Miles High Inc., d.b.a. Park City Balloon Adventures, Park City, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The local balloon flight departed Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0745. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he attempted a landing to an asphalt parking lot, which contained a small building and automobiles. The balloon basket touched down and dragged along the asphalt approximately 60-80 feet. The balloon and basket impacted the small building and a powerline. Upon impact with the building, one passenger sustained a fractured shoulder. The balloon envelope was not damaged and the wicker basket sustained minor damage. The pilot stated the wind at the time of the landing was approximately 10-12 knots.

Flight

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

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar International S81A
Tail NumberN52760
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorPark City Balloon Adventures
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine DetailsAero Engines
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 10 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured10
Total11
Crew 1Age 39 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 12 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data