# NTSB CEN13CA035: Lindstrand Balloons 90A, N6061R, Albuquerque, NM, October 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2012, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.199722, -106.587219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1997&lon=-106.5872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 85475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85475/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85475 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA035 ## Probable cause The balloon pilot's encounter with higher-than-expected wind velocity, which resulted in a hard landing and passenger injury. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 90A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=5180005), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 90A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=5180005), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 90A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5180005), [All aircraft, 1,131 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 90A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5180005), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis Before the flight, the pilot participated in a weather briefing provided by the event organization. Due to high wind velocities at low level, the balloon launch was postponed for about 1 hour and then approval to launch was granted by event personnel. At the conclusion of the flight, the pilot initiated an approach to a standard event landing field. During the approach, the wind was at a higher velocity than expected. The pilot briefed the passenger for a fast drag and hard landing. The balloon landed hard and dragged for about 150 feet. The passenger sustained a fractured arm. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Prior to the flight, the pilot participated in a weather briefing provided by the event organization. Due to high winds at low level, the balloon launch was postponed for about a hour, then approval to launch was granted by the event. At the conclusion of the flight, the pilot initiated an approach to a standard event landing field. During the approach, the wind was at a higher velocity than expected. The pilot briefed the passenger for a fast drag and hard landing. The balloon landed hard and dragged for about 150 feet. The passenger sustained a fractured arm. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6061R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6061R-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 5124 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 90A - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons 90A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-90a) (registry code 5180005) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5124 - Airframe hours: 257 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: On File - Registered owner: On File - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2012 - Departed: Albuquerque, NM - Destination: Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review March 31, 2011; flight hours: 794 total, 30 in this make and model, 794 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 185° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20121010023579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121010023579A), Oct 10, 2012: Lindstrand Balloons 90A, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. On October 10, 2012, at 0915 MDT, N6061R, a Lindstrand Balloons model 90A balloon, registered to [privacy data omitted], landed approximately 2 miles east… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85475. 787 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 787 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.