Richardson Andrew P RICHARDSON-75 N518UR

Summary

On 5 October 2021 at about 15:00 local time, a Richardson Andrew P RICHARDSON-75 registered N518UR was involved in an accident near Alburquerque, New Mexico, 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

5 October 2021 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Alburquerque, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.1921, -106.6187

Aircraft

Richardson Andrew P RICHARDSON-75

Registration

N518UR

Category

Balloon

Year built

2015

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA010

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that as the balloon descended to land, about 45-60 ft above ground level, the winds were sustained out of the southwest about 9 to 11 mph. During the landing, the basket touched down firmly, tilted to the side, and then drug along the ground for about 20 ft before coming to rest upright. During the landing sequence, the passenger sustained a serious leg injury. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.