Like Other Big Events, ABQ Balloon Fiesta Has Its Share of Problems

Like any other large event where a lot of one kind of aircraft congregate, the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is turning out to have its share of fender-benders (not that balloons have fenders...). After a fatal accident earlier in the week, we're relieved to note that the most recent spate of accidents (four, in the last two day's reports) have been or a less injurious variety... We hope the rest of the week proceeds accordingly.

** Report created 10/12/2007 Record 12 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 2803L Make/Model: S60 Description: RAVEN S-60A BALLOON
Date: 10/09/2007 Time: 1000
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: Minor Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: ALBUQUERQUE State: NM Country: US

DESCRIPTION
HOT AIR BALLOON LANDED HARD, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 1 Unk:
# Pass: 2 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 2 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: WIND ENE 10G20 15/0 A3045
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ALBUQUERQUE, NM (SW01) Entry date: 10/11/2007

** Report created 10/12/2007 Record 13 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 460LB Make/Model: 240 Description: LINDSTRAND 240A HOT AIR BALLOON
Date: 10/10/2007 Time: 1230
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: ALBUQUERQUE State: NM Country: US

DESCRIPTION
HOT AIR BALLOON ON LIFTOFF, STRUCK A TRAILER, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: WIND NORTH 6MPH TEMP6/-9
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Take-off Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ALBUQUERQUE, NM (SW01) Entry date: 10/11/2007

** Report created 10/12/2007 Record 14 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 867DK Make/Model: Z105 Description: BALLOON Z-105
Date: 10/10/2007 Time: 0800
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: ALBUQUERQUE State: NM Country: US

DESCRIPTION
HOT AIR BALLOON, DURING LIFTOFF, GONDOLA STRUCK THE ENVELOPE OF ANOTHER BALLOON THAT WAS ON THE GROUND, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: WIND N 7MPH TEMP 11/0
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Take-off Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ALBUQUERQUE, NM (SW01) Entry date: 10/11/2007

** Report created 10/12/2007 Record 1 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 63286 Make/Model: S60 Description: AEROSTAR S-60A BALLOON
Date: 10/09/2007 Time: 1515
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: ALBUQUERQUE State: NM Country: US

DESCRIPTION
HOT AIR BALLOON DURING LANDING, STRUCK A TREE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 3 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: METAR KAEG WIND MSG SKC 10SM 13/00 A3040
OTHER DATA
Activity: Aerial Observation Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ALBUQUERQUE, NM (SW01) Entry date: 10/12/2007

FMI: www.balloonfiesta.com, www.ntsb.gov