Avian Balloon SKYHAWK N47AV

Summary

On 5 October 1996 at about 12:45 local time, a Avian Balloon SKYHAWK registered N47AV was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 1996 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Avian Balloon SKYHAWK

Registration

N47AV

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

FTW97LA011

Injuries not recorded.

The ground crew member's failure keep clear from the gondola during take off. A factor was the pilot's failure to insure crew coordination during take off.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the balloon was on a 'dawn patrol' demonstration. The crew members were holding to the gondola just prior to breaking ground. As the balloon became airborne, a crew member's hand became caught on one of the rope handles normally used by passengers. She was lifted up to about 20 feet AGL. Someone on the ground said, 'jump,' and she released the handle. Before impacting the ground, she contacted the side of another balloon that was being inflated. The pilot stated that he was not aware that the crew member was in distress.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.