Aerostar International Inc S81A N5316Q accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot's encounter with an unexpected shift of wind direction and velocity, which resulted in a hard landing and passenger injury.

NTSB analysis

At the conclusion of a hot air balloon sightseeing flight, the pilot initiated an approach to a standard company landing field. During the approach, the wind unexpectedly shifted from 330 degrees at 8 knots to 110 degrees at up to 18 knots. As the easterly winds decreased to about 12 knots, the pilot elected to continue the approach into an unplanned landing area and told the passengers to prepare for a high-wind landing by bending their knees and holding on to the rope handles tightly. According to the pilot, the balloon landed hard, traveling about 12 knots groundspeed in an open area with uneven terrain. One of the 11 passengers sustained a fractured ankle. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA511 for the full record.