Thunder and Colt COLT 160A N128TC

Summary

On 30 January 1993 at about 14:45 local time, a Thunder and Colt COLT 160A registered N128TC, operated by Naturally High Balloon Co Inc., was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. 8 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 January 1993 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.3207, -111.8194

Aircraft

Thunder and Colt COLT 160A

Registration

N128TC

Category

Balloon

Operator

Naturally High Balloon Co Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA296

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to adequately evaluate the weather conditions and subsequent uncontrolled touchdown resulting in a hard landing. Gusty wind conditions were a factor in the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE COMMERCIAL BALLOON PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH 7 PASSENGERS. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED BY A PASSENGER AS OVERCAST CLOUDS AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. AS THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO LAND, THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE GROUND HARD AND BOUNCED ALONG THE GROUND. THE PASSENGERS WERE THROWN INTO THE BALLOON STRUCTURE. ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED A SERIOUS ANKLE AND SPINE INJURY, REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED BY THE PILOT AND WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FAA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.