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May 3, 2008 · Cameron Balloons C-100 · N6004K

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2008
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons C-100
Tail Number
N6004K
Operator
Dwayne D Osborne
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
SEA08LA119

During the approach to landing, the balloon's descent rate was about 300 feet per minute. About 200 feet above the ground the balloon encountered a strong windshear, increasing its horizontal speed over the ground to about 30 knots. The balloon continued descending at about 300 feet per minute until touching down, at which time its basket tilted over and began to drag for about 200 yards, with the last 125 yards over rocky ground. One of the passengers sustained a serious injury due to his arm being stuck between the basket and the ground. The chase crew arrived at the scene about 40 seconds later. No anomalies were reported with the balloon prior to the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident were windshear and rocky terrain.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2008, about 0720 mountain standard time, a Cameron Balloons C-100, N6004K, received minor damage following a hard landing near Phoenix, Arizona. The certificated private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, one passenger received a serious injury, and one passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from a location about 3 miles east of the landing site at 0620. In a statement submitted by the pilot, it was reported that during the approach to landing, the balloon's rate of descent was about 300 feet per minute (fpm). The pilot stated that about 200 feet above ground level (agl) he encountered a very strong wind shear, which caused the balloon to rapidly accelerate to 25 to 30 knots in the descent. The pilot reported that as the approach continued he managed to get enough heat into the balloon to avoid a hard vertical landing; however, the balloon was descending at 200 to 300 fpm during touchdown, moving horizontally at 25 to 30 knots. The pilot noted that after touching down the balloon's basket immediately tilted over and began dragging. The pilot stated, "The first 75 yards were [a] textbook, high wind landing; everyone was low in the basket. Then we moved into rocky ground and continued to drag for another 100 to 125 yards, with one passenger getting his arm stuck between the basket and the ground. The chase crew was only 20 to 40 seconds away." The pilot reported minor damage to the balloon, and that no anomalies existed with the balloon prior to the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons C-100
Tail NumberN6004K
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorDwayne D Osborne
Operating RulePart 91
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 50 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 9 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time07:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data