# NTSB DEN03LA019: Cameron Balloons O-70, N5303Z, Montrose, CO, November 30, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 2002, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, CO
- Coordinates: 38.518333, -107.820831
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5183&lon=-107.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA019

## Probable cause

the unforecasted increase in wind velocity.  A contributing factor was the fence that the basket struck, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot said this was his second flight of the morning, and the wind was approximately 3 knots.  He said that during the flight, the wind increased to approximately 10 knots.  During a landing attempt in an open field, the pilot said the basket struck a fence, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground.  The balloon flew for an additional 8 to 10 minutes before the balloon's basket caught on a second fence.  The ground crew retrieved the balloon, which incurred no damage.

## Factual narrative

On November 30, 2002, at approximately 0730 mountain standard time, a Cameron Balloons (U.S.) O-70 balloon, N5303Z, was not damaged during a high wind near Montrose, Colorado.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and his two passengers received serious injuries when they fell from the basket.  The aircraft was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated approximately 20 minutes before the accident.

The pilot said this was his second flight of the morning, and the wind was approximately 3 knots.  He said that during the flight, the wind increased to approximately 10 knots.  During a landing attempt in an open field, the pilot said the basket struck a fence, subsequently spilling the occupants onto the ground.  The balloon flew for an additional 8 to 10 minutes before the balloon's basket caught on a second fence.  The ground crew retrieved the balloon, which incurred no damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5303Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5303Z), registered now, S/N 6151, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron Balloons O-70
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons U S 0-70](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-u-s-0-70) (registry code 1880107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6151
- Airframe hours: 119
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel L. Crouch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2002, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Montrose, CO
- Airport: MTJ, Montrose Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; commercial; last flight review August 16, 2002

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: MTJ, 3 nm away

## 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 20021130031929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021130031929A), Nov 30, 2002: Camron O70, Montrose, CO. (-23) Wind change close to ground. Pilot acted appropriately. Balloon struck fence and pilot and 1 pax fell out of basket - one other stayed in and jumped at…

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.

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