Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The balloon's encounter with unforecasted wind shear and the subsequent inadvertent collision with terrain. A factor was the pilot's inability to control the balloon's descent.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 4, 1998, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cameron N-120 balloon, N1607G, was not damaged when it collided with terrain near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was not injured; however, three passengers received minor injuries and one passenger received serious injuries. The balloon was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.
According to the pilot's accident report, he and his passengers went for a short ride at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta when he encountered wind shear. The pilot and a pilot rated passenger executed a burn to control the descent. The burn was unsuccessful. The balloon made a hard landing and one passenger broke her leg. The balloon was not damaged in the landing, although the basket did tip over while the pilot was attempting to deflate the balloon.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN99LA003