N505CZ

On September 12, 2019, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Kubicek BB60Z balloon, N505CZ, was involved in an accident near Goodsprings, Nevada. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. the remaining six passengers sustained minor injuries, and the balloon sustained substantial damage. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that, after about 1 hour into the flight, he planned to touch down near a water basin. When the balloon was about 0.5 mile away from the intended landing location, the wind changed, and the balloon’s direction shifted south toward terrain that the pilot described as “unfriendly” for a balloon landing. The pilot ascended the balloon to find a different wind direction. The balloon continued over a ridge, and the pilot then aligned the balloon with a dirt road and began the descent. As the balloon neared the surface, the wind increased, and the pilot briefed the passengers about a potential high-wind landing. He pulled the vent line, but the balloon did not deflate as he expected. The balloon landed hard, and the pilot reported that he was ejected from the basket.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector responding to this accident stated five occupants in addition to the pilot were ejected from the basket after the hard landing. Afterward, the balloon flew at a low level for about 0.5 mile, and the remaining three passengers were ejected from the basket. The balloon came to rest on a hillside in remote desert terrain located about 17 miles southwest of Las Vegas.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.