Cameron Balloons Z-90 N984ZS

Summary

On 18 December 2001 at about 15:45 local time, a Cameron Balloons Z-90 registered N984ZS, operated by Michael P. Collins, was involved in an accident near Mcintosh, 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

18 December 2001 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Mcintosh, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

34.8501, -106.0399

Aircraft

Cameron Balloons Z-90

Registration

N984ZS

Category

Balloon

Operator

Michael P. Collins

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Moriarty

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA059

1 person was seriously injured.

inadvertent flight into adverse (high wind) weather conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the high wind weather condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to departing for the cross-country balloon flight, the pilot received a weather briefing from an Automated Flight Service Station. The pilot was briefed that the wind speed was 28 mph on top of the mountains the flight was to cross. The pilot reported that "we decided that it was a little fast but doable." The pilot reported that he was unable to obtain weather information for his destination prior to the flight due to the lack of weather reporting facilities east of the mountains. The balloon departed with a light and variable wind. The balloon ascended to 11,250 feet msl and its ground speed increased to 52 mph as it crossed over the mountains. After crossing the mountains, the balloon descended to 500 feet agl, where the wind speed was 32 mph. As the flight continued, the pilot selected a field and attempted a high wind landing. During the landing sequence the pilot and a passenger were ejected from the basket. The balloon then took off and ascended to 1,000 feet with the remaining passenger, who was a balloon pilot. The passenger took control of the balloon and landed safely 6 miles from where the pilot and passenger were ejected.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.