Aerostar RXS8 N9105Z

Summary

On 10 October 1998 at about 14:30 local time, a Aerostar RXS8 registered N9105Z, operated by Mary E. Moore, was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 3 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

10 October 1998 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.0605, -106.6191

Aircraft

Aerostar RXS8

Registration

N9105Z

Category

Balloon

Operator

Mary E. Moore

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN99LA010

1 person was seriously injured.

The high wind condition and the pilot's subsequent intentional hard touchdown. A factor was the small landing area that was available to the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the wind was 2 to 3 knots at the time of launch. As she prepared to land, the wind had increased to 12 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that 'the landing sites in the direction we were heading were small, so I started briefing my passengers about landing.' She further instructed her passengers that, because of the small landing sites available, 'they might need to land with the top out and the propane off.' After clearing several utility lines and trees, the pilot directed a passenger to pull the top out of the balloon and she turned off the propane fuel. The pilot stated that they 'hit the ground firmly and stopped in 20 feet, there was no bounce.' One passenger dislocated her ankle and broke her leg upon impact. The balloon was not damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.