BRYAN, TX, USA
N2055K
Cameron N-105
PRIOR TO A BALLOON LAUNCH, THE WINDS AT THE PUBLIC PARK LAUNCH SITE WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE. AFTER LAUNCHING AND DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT AND INCREASE IN WIND SPEED. THE PILOT WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND INITIATE AN ASCENT THAT WOULD ALLOW HIS BALLOON TO CLEAR A 527 FEET AGL MARKED TOWER THAT WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1.25 STATUTE MILE FROM THE PARK. THE BALLOON STRUCK THE UPPER MOST PORTION OF THE TOWER AND THE ENVELOPE WAS TORN AND COLLAPSED CAUSING A RAPID DESCENT TO THE GROUND.
PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT/COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CHANGE AND HIS DELAYED RESPONSE IN INITIATING A CLIMB IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE TOWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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