Cameron Balloons Us Z-150 N6952D
13 May 2016 · Edmond, Oklahoma, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 May 2016 at about 13:00 local time, a Cameron Balloons Us Z-150 registered N6952D was involved in an accident near Edmond, Oklahoma, United States. 6 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 5 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Edmond, Oklahoma, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.6667, -97.6150
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons Us Z-150
- Registration
- N6952D
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2012
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Edmond → Edmond
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN16LA183
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to control the balloon’s descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During the landing approach at the conclusion of the sightseeing flight, the commercial pilot of the balloon began a "quick" descent from an altitude of about 500 ft in order to land in a field that was about ¼ mile away. The pilot then activated the burners in order to slow the balloon's descent rate. About 50 ft above the ground, the pilot turned off the burners and pulled the quick deflation port at the top of the envelope. The basket impacted the ground, and the pilot and one passenger were ejected from the basket. The pilot continued to hold onto the quick deflation port line, and was dragged alongside the basket as the balloon subsequently became airborne. The balloon continued across the field until it contacted trees and came to rest. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 2016 | Bellanca 17-30A | Overbrook, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 2016 | North American AT6 | Yukon, Oklahoma, United States | Twin Lakes Aviation, LLC. | No injuries | - |
| 5 Apr 2016 | Beechcraft A23 | Hulbert, Oklahoma, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Apr 2016 | Lamb-Robin BOWERS FLY BABY | Guthrie, Oklahoma, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 2016 | Bellanca 17-31A | Mc Alester, Oklahoma, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 29 Jan 2016 | Cessna 152 | Durant, Oklahoma, United States | Riverside Flight Center | No injuries | - |