# NTSB WPR14CA168: Linstrand 240A, N2646Z, Mayer, AZ, April 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 14, 2014, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Mayer, AZ - Coordinates: 34.340156, -112.030967 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3402&lon=-112.0310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor, 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89063/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89063 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA168 ## Probable cause The balloon's encounter with unexpected increased wind, which resulted in a hard landing on rough terrain. ## 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 · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=5190012), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5190012), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5190012), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=5190012), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he checked the weather in the early morning, which prepared him for light wind conditions. After inflation of the balloon, he performed a safety briefing for the passengers and departed shortly thereafter. When the balloon was en route, the ground crew advised the pilot of the high wind conditions. The pilot stated that he was not able to operate in his usual area and therefore had to maneuver the balloon over inhospitable terrain in conditions that did not allow for an immediate landing. The pilot gave the passengers a landing briefing relaying the information that an unexpected increase in surface wind speed prohibited them from landing in the areas that were originally intended. The pilot felt he had limited options suitable for landing and with canyons approaching, he opted to touchdown in an area of rough, volcanic rock. During landing, the basket was strewn across the rough rocky terrain and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he checked the weather in the early morning, which prepared him for light wind conditions. After inflation of the balloon, he performed a safety briefing for the passengers and departed shortly thereafter. When the balloon was en route, the ground crew advised the pilot of the high wind conditions. The pilot stated that he was not able to operate in his usual area and therefore had to maneuver the balloon over inhospitable terrain in conditions that did not allow for an immediate landing. The pilot gave the passengers a landing briefing relaying the information that an unexpected increase in surface wind speed prohibited them from landing in the areas that were originally intended. The pilot felt he had limited options suitable for landing and with canyons approaching, he opted to touchdown in an area of rough, volcanic rock. During landing, the basket was strewn across the rough rocky terrain and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2646Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2646Z-2021-05-21), registration cancelled 2021-05-21, S/N 5507, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINSTRAND 240A - Registry model: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A](https://openairdocs.org/model/arbc-inc-dba-lindstrand-240a) (registry code 5190012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5507 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Arizona Balloon Works - Registered owner: Haf Ent LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Cottonwood, AZ - Destination: Camp Verde, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; seat: none; flight hours: 3,539 total, 1,090 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 20 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 20140414006189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140414006189A), Apr 14, 2014: Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 240A, Spring Valley, AZ, Substantial damage. On 4-14-2014 Mr. Graham departed on a balloon flight with 9 passengers on board. The wind increased in the area after takeoff. Pilot attempted to land in high… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89063. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412951&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.