Summary
On November 26, 1995, a Aerostar RX8 (N6360U) was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, NM. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 3 people uninjured out of 4 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper planning/decision. A factor relating to the accident was: the high wind condition.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW96LA055. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6360U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper planning/decision. A factor relating to the accident was: the high wind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
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