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October 7, 2019 · Aerostar International RX 7 No Series · N9126K

Rio Rancho, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Rio Rancho, NM
Aircraft
Aerostar International RX 7 No Series (1998)
Tail Number
N9126K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
GAA20CA012

The balloon pilot reported that, during an air race, she identified a landing area with dirt roads. She had a gradual descent to land, but as the balloon neared the surface, the winds were "in the 20+ mile per hour range." The balloon landed hard and bounced. She instructed the passenger to get lower in the basket, regained control, and attempted another landing. During the second landing, the pilot "pulled the red line to let the hot air out of the envelope but was dragged across the ground," and she was ejected from the basket; the passenger remained in the balloon. A crewmember on the ground instructed the passenger to pull the red line again. The balloon landed hard, the passenger was ejected, and the basket was destroyed by postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a postaccident fire.

Full Narrative

The balloon pilot reported that, during an air race, she identified a landing area with dirt roads. She had a gradual descent to land, but as the balloon neared the surface, the winds were "in the 20+ mile per hour range." The balloon landed hard and bounced. She instructed the passenger to get lower in the basket, regained control, and attempted another landing. During the second landing, she "pulled the red line to let the hot air out of the envelope but was dragged across the ground" and the pilot was ejected from the basket; the passenger remained in the balloon. A crew member on the ground instructed the passenger to pull the red line again. The balloon landed hard, the passenger was ejected, and the basket was destroyed in a postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to conduct an additional preflight briefing for the passenger. The automated weather observation station, located 6 miles to the south, reported that, about 31 minutes before the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar International RX 7 No Series
Tail NumberN9126K
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Basc · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 32 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data