CLARKDALE, AZ, USA
N3592Z
Aerostar S-60A
The pilot and four fare-paying passengers departed for a local sightseeing flight. The flight was uneventful. The passengers received safety briefings and wore helmets during the high wind landing, in an 8-knot wind. After touchdown, the pilot ripped out the balloon's top, but the basket was dragged about 10 feet before coming to rest in terrain which had vegetation over 1/2 of its surface. During the slide, a tree branch penetrated the basket through a passenger's step hole. The branch contacted a passenger's leg, which resulted in a serious injury.
On May 9, 1999, about 0700 hours mountain standard time, an Aerostar International, Inc., S-60A balloon, N3592Z, operated by the Aerozona Balloon Company, Sedona, Arizona, made a high wind landing near Clarkdale, Arizona. The balloon was not damaged. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; the fourth passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 aerial sightseeing passenger flight. The planned local area revenue flight commenced from Black Canyon, Arizona, about 0605. The pilot reported that he performed a high wind landing, and all of the passengers were wearing safety helmets. The pilot stated that he ripped open the envelope's top after touchdown. The basket was dragged about 10 feet before coming to rest in terrain, which had vegetation over 1/2 of its surface. While being dragged, a branch/limb from a small tree penetrated the basket through the passenger's step hole. The branch contacted a passenger's leg, which resulted in a serious injury. The pilot indicated that the local wind was from 140 degrees, at 8 knots. The visibility was 50 miles.
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain during a high wind condition. Contributing factors were the high winds and the tree.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
