Cameron Balloon N-77 N60206

Summary

On 29 September 2001 at about 13:30 local time, a Cameron Balloon N-77 registered N60206 was involved in an accident near McKinney, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 September 2001 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

McKinney, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.1800, -96.5890

Aircraft

Cameron Balloon N-77

Registration

N60206

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McKinney → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW01LA213

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the fence while landing. A contributing factor was the high wind condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot received a weather briefing and when they launched the balloon, the wind was as reported during the briefing. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the wind speed had increased. The pilot told his passenger that they were going to conduct a "lay down landing," and he briefed her on the proper landing position. The pilot was attempting to land in a field when both he and his passenger saw a fence in their flight path that they "had not seen before." The pilot attempted to slow the descent; however, they were too close, and the balloon basket impacted the fence. The passenger was thrown forward against the other side of the basket where she impacted and broke her arm. The balloon subsequently impacted the ground and drug approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop. The passenger reported that she had flown with the pilot on numerous occasions and was familiar with the balloon. She knew they were going to hit the fence; however, she "must not have been holding on tight enough" since she was thrown to the opposite side of the balloon basket.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.