SALIDA, CA, USA
N71145
Balloon Works FIREFLY 7
The pilot and his two passengers attempted to land the balloon in what the pilot described to an FAA safety inspector as 'high' winds. The balloon collided with a fence and one of the two passengers received serious injuries.
On June 12, 1993, about 0918 hours Pacific daylight time, a Balloonworks Firefly 7, N71145, collided with a fence during landing near Salida, California. The balloon sustained minor damage. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured and the remaining passenger received serious injuries. The local personal area flight departed a park located about five miles northwest of Stockton, California, about 0700 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. According to an FAA safety inspector who interviewed the pilot, he was trying to land the balloon in "high" winds when it collided with a fence. The pilot did not provide information pertaining to his obtaining wind/weather forecast prior to his flight. Repeated attempts were made by the FAA and the NTSB to obtain a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot. It was explained, in writing and orally, to the pilot that Public Law requires the pilot to provide the NTSB with a Pilot/Operator report. The pilot did not respond to several telephone messages left by an FAA safety inspector.
the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during the attempted landing. A factor in the accident was the unfavorable wind conditions for the balloon landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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