N9105Z

On October 10, 1998, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar RXS8 balloon, N9105Z, was not damaged during a landing near the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; however, one passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated 1 hour prior to the accident.

According to the pilot, the wind was 2 to 3 knots at the time of launch. As she prepared to land, the wind had increased to 12 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that "the landing sites in the direction we were heading were small, so I started briefing my passengers about landing." She further instructed her passengers that, because of the small landing sites available, "they might need to land with the top out and the propane off." After clearing several utility lines and trees, the pilot directed a passenger to pull the top out of the balloon and she turned off the propane fuel. The pilot stated that they "hit the ground firmly and stopped in 20 feet, there was no bounce." One passenger dislocated her ankle and broke her leg upon impact.