Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND THE CREWMEMBER'S FAILURE TO HOLD ONTO THE BASKET. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH WIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 29, 1995, at 0800 central daylight time (CDT), one crewmember received serious injuries during landing in a Head AX8-88 balloon, N4516R. The private pilot and one other crewmember were not injured. The balloon sustained minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Paschall Park in Mesquite, Texas at 0720 CDT.
In the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that he experienced a "sustained gust of wind of 15-20 mph" while landing. "The high winds [drug] the balloon for about 100 feet" when one crewmember "rolled out" when "he put his hands over his glasses and quit holding to the basket." He further stated that he could not abort the landing due to the location of a "powerline track."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA323