Summary
On May 23, 2006, a Cameron Balloons Z-120 (N1072S) was involved in an accident near Montvale, VA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 4 people uninjured out of 5 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive descent rate prior to ground contact, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident were the wind gusts.
According to the pilot, while attempting to land a hot air balloon, the winds became "gusty" at 10 to 15 knots and he initiated a "high wind landing." According to a passenger, the pilot had told him that it was supposed to "calm." The passenger estimated, however; that the wind was probably around 20 knots. He stated that during the landing the balloon "hit pretty hard" and the basket tipped over horizontally and dragged to a stop. He recalled that when the basket tipped over, another passenger stated that it "felt like something was on her feet" and he later realized that both of her ankles were broken.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC06CA117. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1072S.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive descent rate prior to ground contact, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident were the wind gusts.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot, while attempting to land a hot air balloon, the winds became "gusty" at 10 to 15 knots and he initiated a "high wind landing." According to a passenger, the pilot had told him that it was supposed to "calm." The passenger estimated, however; that the wind was probably around 20 knots. He stated that during the landing the balloon "hit pretty hard" and the basket tipped over horizontally and dragged to a stop. He recalled that when the basket tipped over, another passenger stated that it "felt like something was on her feet" and he later realized that both of her ankles were broken.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC06CA117