SAN JUAN BAUTIS, CA, USA
N7000J
Eagle Aircraft Co. C-7
IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS LIFTED OFF AT 0800 HOURS FOR A SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT. HE SAID THE WINDS WERE CALM AT THE TIME OF LIFT OFF BUT ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND, THE WINDS INCREASED IN VELOCITY. HE SAID THAT DUE TO FLOODED AREAS, OBSTRUCTIONS, AND 'BRISK' GROUND WINDS, HE ABORTED SEVERAL LANDING ATTEMPTS. THE PILOT FOUND A CLEAR, OPEN AND DRY LANDING AREA. ON THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT, THE BASKET TIPPED AND ONE PASSENGER FELL PARTIALLY OUT OF THE BASKET. HE AND THE OTHER PASSENGER PULLED THE PASSENGER BACK IN THE BASKET. THE PILOT SAID THE BALLOON THEN LIFTED OVER A FENCE, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, AND TIPPED AGAIN. THE TWO PASSENGERS FELL OUT OF THE BASKET AND WERE DRAGGED BY THE BALLOON UNTIL IT STOPPED. THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE 10 MILES PER HOUR GUSTING TO 15 MILES PER HOUR WHEN HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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