20010613016979A

(.19) On June 13, 2001, at approximately 0805 mountain daylight time, a cameron balloons N-210, N7507V, was not damaged during a hard landing near Rio Rancho, new Mexico. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured; however, one passenger was seriously injured, and 5 passengers received minor injuries. The balloon was being operated by world balloon LLC, albuquerque, new Mexico, under title 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from Rio Rancho, new Mexico, approximately 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he received a weather briefing that morning indicating that winds would be strong and gusty after 1000. The pilot stated that during the flight, the winds increased from about 4 knots at 0730 to 20 knots at 0800. He decided to terminate the flight, and he briefed his passengers for landing. The pilot stated that upon landing, the winds were gusting to approximately 30 knots, dragging the balloon several hundred yards. One passenger received a broken ankle. (-23) on 06/13/2001, at 0705 MST, a hot air balloon N7507V piloted by frank gallegos certificate number 2103317 departed albuquerque, NM for a local flight from a field behind a shopping center located at 6949 taylor ranch road. The pilot stated that he got weather briefing from his computer, starting at 3 am. He stated that 2 people from his office got a weather briefing, just before his departure from the office at 5 am and the winds were forecast favorable for flight. The 5 am weather showed albuquerque favorable, but double eagle was at 17 knots. The pilot did not get a personal briefing from abq fss at any time. Once airborne the balloon picked up speed on the GPS rapidly, from 4 knots to 16-20 knots, within 20 minutes into the flight, according to the pilot. At the time of the touchdown the pilot said the GPS showed a 35 knot wind. Eight passengers were onboard the aircraft, and six of the passengers were injured. One had a broken ankle. The balloon basket was dragged over a hundred feet after touchdown. (.4) on June 13, 2001, at approximately 0735 mountain daylight time, a cameron balloons N-210 balloon, N7507V, received minor damage during a hard, high wind landing near Rio Rancho, new Mexico. The commercial pilot and two p assengers were not injured; however, one passenger was seriously injured, and five passengers received minor injuries. The balloon was being operated by world balloon LLC, albuquerque, new Mexico, under title 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from Rio Rancho, new Mexico, approximately 45 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot said he received weather briefings from a variety of sources beginning at 0300 that morning. His first weather briefing was from a website on his home computer. A flight service station briefing was obtained by two other pilots (who were launching with him), and he was briefed by them. Additionally, he obtained wind data from a remote sensor northwest of Rio Rancho and from another near sandia peak. The forecast he received indicated that winds would be from 200 degrees at 8 knots till 1000, and then changing to 250 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 22 after 1000. He launched a pibal (a small helium filed balloon) to check the current wind speed at the launch site and he determined it was "favorable." The pilot launched with eight passengers on board, and after liftoff noted on his global positioning system that his airspeed was 4 knots. After climbing over a mesa, his airspeed increased to 8 knots. He said that 20 minutes into the flight, his airspeed was between 16 to 20 knots. At that point, there was not a suitable landing area due to a housing area and electrical transmission lines. He attempted to descend behind a hill to obtain shelter from the wind, but the wind shear became too severe for balloon operations. He found a suitable landing site of open desert and briefed the passengers on correct high wind landing procedures. During descent, the balloon's speed increased to 30 knots and directional control became difficult. During the final descent, he fired both burners all the way to the ground. Despite the firing of both burners, the balloons glide path deteriorated to 45 degrees. The balloon skidded approximately 100 yards before the envelope could be deflated and the balloon stopped. During the landing, one passenger broke an ankle.