# NTSB FTW96LA055: Aerostar RX8, N6360U, Rio Rancho, NM, November 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1995, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Rio Rancho, NM
- Location: 35.2334° N, 106.6645° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rio Rancho, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2334&lon=-106.6645&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA055

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper planning/decision.  A factor relating to the accident was: the high wind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the wind speed was 10 to 12 mph and he 'briefed the passengers on a high-wind landing procedure' of the balloon. To facilitate a landing, he 'ripped-out' the deflation port after clearing an arroyo and some bushes. Also, he reported that 'On impact one of the passengers...let go and did a backward somersault out of the basket. When the passenger righted herself, the basket struck her, breaking her right collar-bone.'

## Factual narrative

On November 26, 1995, at 0800 mountain standard time, an Aerostar International, RX8, N6360U, registered to and operated by a  private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was not damaged  following a high wind landing near Rio Rancho, New Mexico.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.   The commercial pilot and two of his passengers were not injured,  while a third passenger sustained serious injuries.  The flight  originated from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 30 minutes  before the accident.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report, that the wind  speed was 10-12 mph and he "briefed the passengers on a high-wind  landing procedure" of the balloon.  The pilot "ripped-out" the  deflation port after clearing the arroyo and some bushes to  facilitate the landing.  He further reported that "On impact one  of the passengers...let go and did a backward somersault out of  the basket.  When the passenger righted herself, the basket  struck her breaking her right collar-bone."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6360U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6360U-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N RX8-3132 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX8
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX8-3132
- Airframe hours: 194
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce W. Hale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1994, 54 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 616 total, 133 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 20 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 19951126046689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951126046689A), Nov 26, 1995: Arostr RX8, Rio Rancho, NM. During high wind landing passenger let go impact. Fell backwards out of basket. Got up and was struck by basket.

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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