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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 30, 2002 · Cameron Balloons O-70 · N5303Z

Montrose, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 30, 2002
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Montrose, CO
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons O-70
Tail Number
N5303Z
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN03LA019

The pilot said this was his second flight of the morning, and the wind was approximately 3 knots. He said that during the flight, the wind increased to approximately 10 knots. During a landing attempt in an open field, the pilot said the basket struck a fence, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground. The balloon flew for an additional 8 to 10 minutes before the balloon's basket caught on a second fence. The ground crew retrieved the balloon, which incurred no damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

the unforecasted increase in wind velocity. A contributing factor was the fence that the basket struck, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground.

Full Narrative

On November 30, 2002, at approximately 0730 mountain standard time, a Cameron Balloons (U.S.) O-70 balloon, N5303Z, was not damaged during a high wind near Montrose, Colorado. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and his two passengers received serious injuries when they fell from the basket. The aircraft was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated approximately 20 minutes before the accident. The pilot said this was his second flight of the morning, and the wind was approximately 3 knots. He said that during the flight, the wind increased to approximately 10 knots. During a landing attempt in an open field, the pilot said the basket struck a fence, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground. The balloon flew for an additional 8 to 10 minutes before the balloon's basket caught on a second fence. The ground crew retrieved the balloon, which incurred no damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MST
Nearest AirportMontrose Regional (3nm ENE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons O-70
Tail NumberN5303Z
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data