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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 7, 2008 · Cameron Balloons Us A-105 · N808SP

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons Us A-105
Tail Number
N808SP
Operator
Tierney Ronald C
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CEN09CA018

The commercial rated balloon pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to his departure as a participant in an international balloon festival. The weather briefing provided by festival officials included calm winds at the surface and a wind speed of 13 miles per hour aloft. The pilot and his passengers (his grandparents) departed and flew approximately five miles from their launch site at an altitude of 1,800 feet above ground level before they reached their destination. The pilot reported that at the time they landed the winds were "gusty" on the surface and the balloon was moving approximately two miles per hour when the basket touched down on the ground. The balloon's basket dragged approximately 60 feet along the surface, became airborne again for approximately 150 feet, and then landed and came to a full stop. The pilot reported that his grandfather sustained a broken leg when the basket first contacted the ground. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was working at the festival, reported that there were occasional wind gusts on the day of the accident, but the weather was mostly clear with calm winds.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon during landing. Contributing to the accident were the wind gusts.

Full Narrative

The commercial rated balloon pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to his departure as a participant in an international balloon festival. The weather briefing provided by festival officials included calm winds at the surface and a wind speed of 13 miles per hour aloft. The pilot and his passengers (his grandparents) departed and flew approximately five miles from their launch site at an altitude of 1,800 feet above ground level before they reached their destnation. The pilot reported that at the time they landed the winds were "gusty" on the surface and the balloon was moving approximately two miles per hour when the basket touched down on the ground. The balloon's basket dragged approximately 60 feet along the surface, became airborne again for approximately 150 feet, and then landed and came to a full stop. The pilot reported that his grandfather sustained a broken leg when the basket first contacted the ground. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was working at the festival, reported that there were occassional wind gusts on the day of the accident, but the weather was mostly clear with calm winds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons Us A-105
Tail NumberN808SP
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorTierney Ronald C
Operating RulePart 91
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data