What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Gregory wellens lifted off from snowmass ranch with 7 passengers on board at 6 am on July 15, 2003, on a commercial flight in Aerostar S71A balloon (175CU') in Aspen co. one mile west of Aspen, at around 150 feet his balloon overtook N35965, a smaller balloon with 2 passengers aboard and struck on the upper third of the envelope with the basket. The basket of the larger then held the load tape of the smaller basket and tried to rise. Mr. Wood yelled to the greg wellens to release his balloon-which was accomplished. Wellen's balloon received no damage and landed 15 minutes later-no injuries. Will amend blocks 32 and 42 after more interviews with pilots.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) GREGORY WELLENS LIFTED OFF FROM SNOWMASS RANCH WITH 7 PASSENGERS ON BOARD AT 6 AM ON JULY 15, 2003, ON A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT IN AEROSTAR S71A BALLOON (175CU') IN ASPEN CO. ONE MILE WEST OF ASPEN, AT AROUND 150 FEET HIS BALLOON OVERTOOK N35965, A SMALLER BALLOON WITH 2 PASSENGERS ABOARD AND STRUCK ON THE UPPER THIRD OF THE ENVELOPE WITH THE BASKET. THE BASKET OF THE LARGER THEN HELD THE LOAD TAPE OF THE SMALLER BASKET AND TRIED TO RISE. MR. WOOD YELLED TO THE GREG WELLENS TO RELEASE HIS BALLOON-WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED. WELLEN'S BALLOON RECEIVED NO DAMAGE AND LANDED 15 MINUTES LATER-NO INJURIES. WILL AMEND BLOCKS 32 AND 42 AFTER MORE INTERVIEWS WITH PILOTS.
Other aircraft in the event · 1
Each aircraft in a collision has its own report.