RIO RANCHO, NM, USA
N6360U
Aerostar RX8
The pilot reported that the wind speed was 10 to 12 mph and he 'briefed the passengers on a high-wind landing procedure' of the balloon. To facilitate a landing, he 'ripped-out' the deflation port after clearing an arroyo and some bushes. Also, he reported that 'On impact one of the passengers...let go and did a backward somersault out of the basket. When the passenger righted herself, the basket struck her, breaking her right collar-bone.'
On November 26, 1995, at 0800 mountain standard time, an Aerostar International, RX8, N6360U, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was not damaged following a high wind landing near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The commercial pilot and two of his passengers were not injured, while a third passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report, that the wind speed was 10-12 mph and he "briefed the passengers on a high-wind landing procedure" of the balloon. The pilot "ripped-out" the deflation port after clearing the arroyo and some bushes to facilitate the landing. He further reported that "On impact one of the passengers...let go and did a backward somersault out of the basket. When the passenger righted herself, the basket struck her breaking her right collar-bone."
The pilot's improper planning/decision. A factor relating to the accident was: the high wind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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