N808SP

Unknown
Serious

CAMERON BALLOONS US A-105S/N: 5918

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
NTSB Number
CEN09CA018
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Event ID
20081014X63028
Coordinates
35.037223, -106.605552
Aircraft Damage
Unknown
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon during landing. Contributing to the accident were the wind gusts.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CAMERON BALLOONS US
Serial Number
5918
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
A-105
Aircraft Type
Balloon
No. of Engines
0
Seats
4
FAA Model
A-105

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
JONES JENELL
Address
10106 EAST DR
City
GRASS VALLEY
State / Zip Code
CA 95945-8507
Country
United States

Analysis

The commercial rated balloon pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to his departure as a participant in an international balloon festival. The weather briefing provided by festival officials included calm winds at the surface and a wind speed of 13 miles per hour aloft. The pilot and his passengers (his grandparents) departed and flew approximately five miles from their launch site at an altitude of 1,800 feet above ground level before they reached their destnation. The pilot reported that at the time they landed the winds were "gusty" on the surface and the balloon was moving approximately two miles per hour when the basket touched down on the ground. The balloon's basket dragged approximately 60 feet along the surface, became airborne again for approximately 150 feet, and then landed and came to a full stop. The pilot reported that his grandfather sustained a broken leg when the basket first contacted the ground. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was working at the festival, reported that there were occassional wind gusts on the day of the accident, but the weather was mostly clear with calm winds.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA018