Cameron Balloons A-250 N5312X

Summary

On 5 May 2007 at about 23:00 local time, a Cameron Balloons A-250 registered N5312X, operated by United States Hot Air Balloon Team, was involved in an accident near New Holland, Pennsylvania, United States. 12 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 May 2007 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

New Holland, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.1667, -76.0833

Aircraft

Cameron Balloons A-250

Registration

N5312X

Category

Balloon

Operator

United States Hot Air Balloon Team

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Strasburg → Strasburg

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

NYC07LA114

2 people were seriously injured.

Unfavorable winds and terrain during a precautionary landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff, the Cameron Balloons A-250 came into contact with a support vehicle. As the balloon ascended with its 12 occupants, the pilot observed a balloon, which previously departed, heading south. The pilot noticed that instead of going south, he was drifting northeast. He varied altitude but his direction did not change. Thirty minutes into the flight, ground speed was 16 mph, and he attempted to land several times. As the balloon approached a hilly area, the wind increased to 18 mph, and the pilot attempted to land in a field. The balloon struck a tree, which turned the rectangular basket forward. The basket struck the ground and a passenger was ejected; he struck other passengers, and ended up beneath the basket. Passengers were not given a safety briefing prior to the flight. Prior to landing, passengers were told to put their backs against the basket, but there was not enough room for all passengers to do so. The pilot stated that he received a weather briefing prior to the flight via television, radio, and Internet, but not from flight service.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.