# NTSB MIA08CA193: Cameron Balloons Z-150, N151TS, Sandown, NH, September 12, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2008, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandown, NH
- Coordinates: 42.928611, -71.186943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9286&lon=-71.1869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA193

## Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter with high winds during approach. Contributing to the severity of injuries was the passengers' improper landing preparation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons Z-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=1880434), [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: [Cameron Balloons Z-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1880434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons Z-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1880434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the balloon pilot, he had checked several weather sources and sent up several helium balloons to check local winds. The flight path and speed of the test balloons confirmed the weather forecasts obtained earlier, and he saw no significant winds either on the ground or aloft. Early in the flight, the pilot noticed that the winds aloft had increased significantly. He descended to assess how close to the ground the increased winds were, so that he could start to plan for a landing. As the balloon came close to treetop level, he experienced increased wind speeds, and decided to land as soon as possible. The pilot prepared the passengers for a fast, hard, drag landing. As he approached the landing site, he allowed the balloon basket to drag through the top of trees in an effort to reduce speed. The pilot estimated that they decreased their horizontal balloon speed by 50 percent. Once clear of the trees, and over the landing site, he vented the balloon to facilitate a fast descent into the field. He informed the passengers that they would have a very hard landing and warned them to get ready for impact. Two passengers had squatted in the balloon to avoid contact with the treetops, and never returned to the correct landing position, as previously instructed by the pilot. Those passengers sustained serious injuries during the hard landing. The reported wind at a nearby airport, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, was from 190 degrees at 5 knots. Examination of the balloon revealed minor damage to the basket and no preimpact structural or mechanical failures.

## Factual narrative

According to the balloon pilot, he had checked several weather sources and sent up several helium balloons to check local winds. The flight path and speed of the test balloons confirmed the weather forecasts obtained earlier, and he saw no significant winds either on the ground or aloft. Early in the flight, the pilot noticed that the winds aloft had increased significantly. He descended to assess how close to the ground the increased winds were, so that he could start to plan for a landing. As the balloon came close to treetop level, he experienced increased wind speeds, and decided to land as soon as possible. The pilot prepared the passengers for a fast, hard, drag landing. As he approached the landing site, he allowed the balloon basket to drag through the top of trees in an effort to reduce speed. The pilot estimated that they decreased their horizontal balloon speed by 50 percent. Once clear of the trees, and over the landing site, he vented the balloon to facilitate a fast descent into the field. He informed the passengers that they would have a very hard landing and to get ready for impact. Two passengers had squatted in the balloon to avoid contact with the treetops, and never returned to the correct landing position, as previously instructed by the pilot. Those passengers sustained serious injuries during the hard landing. The reported wind at a nearby airport, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, was from 190 degrees at 5 knots. Examination of the balloon by the Federal Aviation Administration found minor damage to the balloon’s basket, and no preimpact structural or mechanical failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N151TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151TS), registered now, S/N 6484, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron Balloons Z-150
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons Z-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-z-150) (registry code 1880434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6485
- Airframe hours: 148
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 11, 2008
- Departed: None, Salem, NH
- Destination: None, Sandown, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review November 12, 2007; flight hours: 902 total, 149 in this make and model, 902 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: MHT, 10 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 20080912849279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080912849279A), Sep 12, 2008: Camero Z150, Sand Down, NH, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot noted early in the flight the winds had increased significantly. He descended to assess how close to the ground the increased wind were so he…

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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