FRISCO, TX, USA
N6012C
Cameron V-90
Prior to landing the balloon, the pilot informed the two passengers that they 'were going to make a fast approach, and it was going to be a hard landing.' He instructed the passengers to 'face the direction the balloon was traveling, bend their knees and hold on to rope handles or the tanks.' When the balloon impacted the ground and 'started a drag', one of the passengers 'lost her grip' and was ejected. While trying to reach for the passenger, the pilot and the other passenger were ejected. The two passengers fell to the ground, and the basket traveled over one of the passengers, who received three cracked ribs. The pilot maintained a grip on the deflation line; however, the balloon ascended approximately 20 feet agl before descending and coming to rest on the ground. The pilot reported the wind speed on landing was 12 knots. A weather reporting station (12 miles east of the accident site) reported the wind speed at 6 knots. The Cameron Balloons US Flight Manual states, in part, 'If it will be a high wind landing or a landing during a rapid vertical descent and it is expected that the basket may rebound or tip over or drag on a corner, the passengers should be briefed to face away from the direction of flight, hold on to the interior basket handle or tank collar in front of them, and crouch slightly. This position is most likely to prevent them from being thrown from the basket on impact or while dragging. It is most critical that the pilot remain in the basket during the landing process.'
On May 21, 2000, at 1945 central daylight time, a Cameron V-90 hot-air balloon, N6012C, experienced a hard landing near Frisco, Texas. The balloon, owned by the pilot and operated by AirVenture Balloon Port, of Plano, Texas, was not damaged. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. The local flight departed from the Bob Woodruff Park, Plano, Texas, at approximately 1845, and was destined for Frisco, Texas. According to the pilot's statement, the landing area was a grassy field with electrical lines to the south and a tree line on the west side; the approach was made from the east-southeast. The pilot informed the passengers that they "were going to make a fast approach and it was going to be a hard landing." He instructed the passengers to "face the direction the balloon was traveling, bend their knees and hold on to rope handles or the tanks." The pilot reported that the wind was "stronger" than forecasted. The balloon crossed the electrical lines, and the pilot started the descent. The pilot continued to fire the balloon burner to slow the descent rate to the ground. The balloon impacted the ground and "started a drag". One passenger "lost her grip", tumbled over the other passenger and fell out of the balloon basket. While trying to reach for the passenger, the pilot and second passenger were ejected from the basket. The two passengers fell to the ground while the pilot maintained a grip on the deflation line. "Because of the lack of weight in the basket," the balloon rose "approximately 20 feet" agl. When the balloon became airborne, the balloon basket traveled over one of the two passengers on the ground, who received 3 "cracked" ribs. The balloon eventually descended and came to rest without further incident. The pilot reported the wind, at the time of the landing, was from 110 degrees at 12 knots. At 1853, the reported wind at the McKinney Airport, McKinney, Texas, (located approximately 12 nautical miles east of the accident site) was from 140 degrees at 7 knots. At 1953, the reported wind at the McKinney Airport was from 150 degrees at 6 knots. According to the Cameron Balloons US Flight Manual, the high wind landing checklist states to aim for the upwind side of the field. If ground contact cannot be assured before half the field is crossed, the pilot should strongly consider opening the rip panel or parachute fully and brace for a very hard landing. In preparation for a hard landing, the pilot should advise all passengers how to stand, to hold on with both hands, which direction to face, and stay down in basket to prevent being thrown out during landing. As a minimum, instruct the passengers to watch the progress of the landing and to hold firmly onto to the basket's internal handles or tank rims.
The pilot's inadequate passenger briefing for a high wind landing. A factor was the wind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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