ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 299223
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| Date: | Saturday 18 March 2000 |
| Time: | 09:50 LT |
| Type: |  Adams A55S |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N4035T |
| MSN: | 139 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 593 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | LOS LUNAS, New Mexico -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The St. Patrick's Balloon Rally weather briefing indicated calm surface winds. Winds aloft were greater than 20 knots, and the level was expected to drop later that morning. On a previous flight, the winds aloft had been negligible, then varied between southeasterly at 5 knots to westerly at 3 knots. On a later flight, the wind was 'variable and slow,' then became 'predominantly to the west at approximately 2to 3 knots.' The pilot landed the balloon in an open field 'unassisted and standing up.' The envelope was not deflated at that time because the wind was calm and the chase crew had not yet arrived. When the chase crew did arrive, 'the wind seemed to change direction to the southeast,' and wind speed 'increased dramatically...from the northwest at approximately 10 to 15 knots.' The balloon ascended about 15 to 20 feet. The balloon 'throat collapsed and [the pilot] could not burn to compensate for false lift.' He attempted to vent the envelope, but the top would not open because it was cold from standing on the ground. The false lift dissipated, the balloon struck the ground, and was dragged across the field.
Probable Cause: The pilot's decision not to deflate the envelope. A factor was the wind gust.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DEN00LA062
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Oct-2022 04:04 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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