N9153X

On October 10, 1995, at 0913 mountain daylight time, a passenger received serious injury during the landing of an Aerostar RX 8, N9153X, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and the other passenger did not receive injuries and the balloon was not damaged. The balloon was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Balloon Fiesta launch site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier that day. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.

During an interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that one of the passengers experienced shoulder pain following the balloon landing. Medical x-rays indicated a fracture.

On the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot reported a wind velocity from zero to 5 knots from the north/northeast. On the enclosed statement the pilot reported aborting several approaches due to a the "size" of the landing area, "ground winds, and/or power lines." Passengers were briefed on the landing and were "warned" that "we could bounce." The pilot "intentionally did not flare" the balloon. The balloon "bounced once, but then stayed grounded."