N6360U

Unknown
Serious

Aerostar RX8 S/N: RX8-3132

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, November 26, 1995
NTSB Number
FTW96LA055
Location
RIO RANCHO, NM
Event ID
20001207X04857
Aircraft Damage
Unknown
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper planning/decision. A factor relating to the accident was: the high wind condition.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N6360U
Make
AEROSTAR
Serial Number
RX8-3132
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
RX8 AB18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
LUDBERG CHARLES A
Address
4725 OVERLAND ST NE
Status
Deregistered
City
ALBUQUERQUE
State / Zip Code
NM 87109-2668
Country
United States

Analysis

On November 26, 1995, at 0800 mountain standard time, an Aerostar International, RX8, N6360U, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was not damaged following a high wind landing near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The commercial pilot and two of his passengers were not injured, while a third passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 30 minutes before the accident.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report, that the wind speed was 10-12 mph and he "briefed the passengers on a high-wind landing procedure" of the balloon. The pilot "ripped-out" the deflation port after clearing the arroyo and some bushes to facilitate the landing. He further reported that "On impact one of the passengers...let go and did a backward somersault out of the basket. When the passenger righted herself, the basket struck her breaking her right collar-bone."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96LA055