MESQUITE, TX, USA
N4516R
Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-88
A SUSTAINED GUST OF WIND OF 15-20 MPH DRAGGED THE BASKET ALONG THE GROUND DURING LANDING. A CREWMEMBER FELL OUT OF THE BASKET WHEN HE STOPPED HOLDING ON TO THE BASKET TO PUT HIS HANDS OVER HIS GLASSES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT ABORT THE LANDING DUE TO THE LOCATION OF A POWERLINE TRACK.
On July 29, 1995, at 0800 central daylight time (CDT), one crewmember received serious injuries during landing in a Head AX8-88 balloon, N4516R. The private pilot and one other crewmember were not injured. The balloon sustained minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Paschall Park in Mesquite, Texas at 0720 CDT. In the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that he experienced a "sustained gust of wind of 15-20 mph" while landing. "The high winds [drug] the balloon for about 100 feet" when one crewmember "rolled out" when "he put his hands over his glasses and quit holding to the basket." He further stated that he could not abort the landing due to the location of a "powerline track."
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND THE CREWMEMBER'S FAILURE TO HOLD ONTO THE BASKET. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH WIND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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