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May 23, 2006 · Cameron Balloons Z-120 · N1072S

Montvale, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2006
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Montvale, VA
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons Z-120
Tail Number
N1072S
Operator
Endeavor Ballooning
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
NYC06CA117

According to the pilot, while attempting to land a hot air balloon, the winds became "gusty" at 10 to 15 knots and he initiated a "high wind landing." According to a passenger, the pilot had told him that it was supposed to "calm." The passenger estimated, however; that the wind was probably around 20 knots. He stated that during the landing the balloon "hit pretty hard" and the basket tipped over horizontally and dragged to a stop. He recalled that when the basket tipped over, another passenger stated that it "felt like something was on her feet" and he later realized that both of her ankles were broken.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive descent rate prior to ground contact, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident were the wind gusts.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, while attempting to land a hot air balloon, the winds became "gusty" at 10 to 15 knots and he initiated a "high wind landing." According to a passenger, the pilot had told him that it was supposed to "calm." The passenger estimated, however; that the wind was probably around 20 knots. He stated that during the landing the balloon "hit pretty hard" and the basket tipped over horizontally and dragged to a stop. He recalled that when the basket tipped over, another passenger stated that it "felt like something was on her feet" and he later realized that both of her ankles were broken.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons Z-120
Tail NumberN1072S
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorEndeavor Ballooning
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 23 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind310° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data