Aerostar International RX 7 N9126K accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a postaccident fire.

NTSB analysis

The balloon pilot reported that, during an air race, she identified a landing area with dirt roads. She had a gradual descent to land, but as the balloon neared the surface, the winds were "in the 20+ mile per hour range." The balloon landed hard and bounced. She instructed the passenger to get lower in the basket, regained control, and attempted another landing. During the second landing, the pilot "pulled the red line to let the hot air out of the envelope but was dragged across the ground," and she was ejected from the basket; the passenger remained in the balloon. A crewmember on the ground instructed the passenger to pull the red line again. The balloon landed hard, the passenger was ejected, and the basket was destroyed by postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA012 for the full record.