N9105Z

On November 6, 1999, approximately 0815 mountain standard time, an Aerostar RXS-8 balloon, N9105Z, registered to and operated by the pilot, was not damaged when it landed hard near Artesia, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; however, one passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at 0745.

According to the pilot, she received a weather briefing at 0600 on the morning of the accident. The winds were reported to be between 5 to 8 knots and diminishing. Takeoff was normal, and they remained airborne for 30 minutes. While descending, she observed the winds to be between 10 and 12 knots. She stated that she briefed her passengers on high wind landing procedures. According to the Aerostar RXS-8 flight manual, the pilot is instructed to brief the passengers to: a. Put on protective helmets immediately; b. Face direction of travel; c. Hold on to basket aluminum superstructure; d. Bend knees slightly, muscles tense; e. Observe landing progression; and f. Remain in basket until instructed otherwise.

Upon landing, the basket tipped and one of the passengers (weighing over 300 lbs.) lost his hold on the basket and fell on top of the second passenger (weighing 150 lbs.). The passenger that was fallen on suffered a broken ankle.