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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 13, 2016 · Aerostar International RX8 · N3647A

Petaluma, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Petaluma, CA
Aircraft
Aerostar International RX8 (1990)
Tail Number
N3647A
Operator
Sowers William H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
WPR16LA070

The commercial pilot was making an approach to a field for landing at the end of the sightseeing flight. During the approach, he misjudged the wind, which pushed the balloon near a metal fence and resulted in the balloon's basket striking the fence. The pilot then landed the balloon safely on an adjacent road. The balloon sustained minor damage, and a child passenger, who was sitting down in the basket, sustained serious injuries.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during the landing approach, which resulted in the balloon’s basket impacting a metal fence and a passenger sustaining serious injuries.

Full Narrative

On February 13, 2016, about 0830 Pacific standard time, an Aerostar International Inc. RX-8 hot air balloon, N3647A, impacted a fence during an approach to a field in Petaluma, California. The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules, revenue sightseeing flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. The pilot and two passengers were not injured, and one child passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was making an approach to a field for landing at the end of the sightseeing flight. During the approach, he misjudged the wind, and the balloon was blown near a pipe fence, striking the fence with the basket. A child passenger, who was sitting down in the basket, sustained serious injuries during the event. After striking the fence, the balloon landed safely on an adjacent road. The balloon sustained minor damage.

Flight

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

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar International RX8
Tail NumberN3647A
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorSowers William H
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 68 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 48
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data