SANTA FE, NM, USA
N5402V
Thunder and Colt AX7-77
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A HIGH WIND LANDING WITH 2 PASSENGERS ONBOARD WHEN THE BASKET STRUCK A TREE STUMP AND DUMPED THE PILOT OUT OF THE BASKET. THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF WITH THE 2 PASSENGERS STILL ONBOARD, STRIKING THE ROOF OF A HOUSE. THE GROUND CREW RADIOED THE PASSENGERS TO PULL THE CANOPY LANYARD, THE PASSENGERS FOLLOWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND THE BALLOON LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
On July 4, 1995, at 0745 mountain daylight time, a Thunder AX7-77, N5402V, was undamaged while landing near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local balloon flight. During interviews, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot and the ground crew stated that the pilot was making a "high wind landing." The basket impacted a tree stump and tipped the basket over, dumping the pilot out of the basket. The balloon became airborne again with its two passengers and struck the roof of a residence. The ground crew instructed the passengers, by radio, to pull the crown rope and release the hot air. The balloon subsequently landed safely.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING FOR THE HIGH WIND LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND THE TREE STUMP.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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