Map of Accident Area
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: La Mesa, TX
Accident Number: CEN19CA128
Date & Time: 04/27/2019, 0830 CDT
Registration: N901UM
Aircraft: ULTRAMAGIC S90
Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was making an approach to land in a field. About 10 ft above ground level (agl), he pulled the vent chute. The balloon struck the ground travelling about 15 mph and tipped over, and then the wind pushed it across furrows for 60 ft. A wind gust lifted the partially filled balloon to about 20 ft agl. The pilot pulled the vent chute again, and after the balloon traveled another 128 ft, the basket struck the ground hard. The wind pushed the balloon for another 30 ft, and the balloon struck ditches on both sides of a road. The balloon then travelled another 88 ft through the grass and then came to a stop. The balloon was not damaged; however, one passenger sustained serious injuries, and a second passenger sustained minor injuries.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, there were 18 balloons at the launch site, one of which belonged to another FAA inspector, who had unpacked his balloon but did not launch. No other pilots unpacked their balloons due to the high winds aloft. The accident pilot was the only one to take off.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper decision to launch the balloon in known high wind conditions, and his failure to fully vent the balloon upon landing, which resulted in the balloon landing hard several times, tipping over, being pushed along uneven ground, and a serious passenger injury.
Findings
Personnel issues Incorrect action performance - Pilot
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues High wind - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Rough terrain - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Miscellaneous/other
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied:
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Balloon
Restraint Used: None
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/15/2018
Flight Time: 684 hours (Total, all aircraft), 56 hours (Total, this make and model), 645 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: ULTRAMAGIC
Registration: N901UM
Model/Series: S90
Aircraft Category: Balloon
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Balloon
Serial Number: 90/151
Landing Gear Type: None
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/27/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1495 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:
Airframe Total Time: 51 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LUV, 2999 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0815 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 11000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: La Mesa, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: La Mesa, TX
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.876389, -101.945833
No comments:
Post a Comment