# NTSB FTW96LA013: Aerostar RX 8, N9153X, Albuquerque, NM, October 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1995, 09:13 local (15:13 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA013

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision.  The variable wind condition was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported a wind velocity of 0 to 5 knots from the north/northeast. After aborting several approaches, the pilot selected a landing area and briefed the passengers of a possible bounce. The pilot 'intentionally did not flare' the balloon. The balloon 'bounced once, but then stayed grounded.'  One passenger experienced shoulder pain, and medical x-rays indicated a fracture.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 1995, at 0913 mountain daylight time, a passenger received serious injury during the landing of an Aerostar RX 8, N9153X, near Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The private pilot and the other passenger did not receive injuries and the balloon was not damaged.  The balloon was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from the Balloon Fiesta launch site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier that day.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.

During an interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that one of the passengers experienced shoulder pain following the balloon landing.  Medical x-rays indicated a fracture.

On the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot reported a wind velocity from zero to 5 knots from the north/northeast.  On the enclosed statement the pilot reported aborting several approaches due to a the "size" of the landing area, "ground winds, and/or power lines."  Passengers were briefed on the landing and were "warned" that "we could bounce."   The pilot "intentionally did not flare" the balloon.  The balloon "bounced once, but then stayed grounded."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9153X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9153X-2014-03-13), registration cancelled 2014-03-13, S/N RX8-3183, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX 8
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX8-3183
- Airframe hours: 64
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Curt D. Hench
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1995, 18 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 95 total, 57 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19951010033109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951010033109A), Oct 10, 1995: Arostr RX8, Albuquerque, NM. Passenger received fractured shoulder in hard balloon landing. Pilot did not flare due surface wind and drift.

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.