Pilot Debrief

AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL RX8 near Albuquerque, NM — 2012-10-10

Final reportCEN13LA032
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Date
2012-10-10
Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Aircraft
AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL RX8
Registration
N90550
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain the desired touchdown point because of wind conditions and surrounding obstructions, which resulted in the balloon impacting a fence during the approach to landing.

NTSB narrative

After attending a mandatory preflight briefing at a balloon festival, the pilot launched his balloon with the first group of balloons to launch. During an approach for landing in a field, the balloon encountered stronger-than-expected wind. The approach to the landing crossed power lines, a commercial building, and a fence. The pilot stated that as the balloon approached the field, it became unresponsive and impacted the fence; he thought that the balloon encountered a "false heavy," or wind shear, which resulted in a loss of lift.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different landing area with better wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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