Cameron N-145 accident near Woody Creek, CO
On August 8, 1993, a Cameron N-145 (balloon) was involved in an accident near Woody Creek, CO. 6 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 8, 1993
- Place
- Woody Creek, CO
- Aircraft
- Cameron N-145 · Balloon
- Injuries
- 6 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.279°N, 106.901°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13130
Official records · DEN93FA100
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 1993, at 0800 mountain daylight time, a Cameron Balloons US N-145, N4141D, collided with the static line on a power transmission span near Woody Creek, Colorado. The pilot and the five passengers on board received fatal injuries and the balloon was destroyed. The flight was a commercial operation conducting a sight seeing tour. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Snowmass Village, Colorado, at approximately 0645. According to witnesses, the balloon drifted west down the Aspen valley, to a point approximately 5 miles from the Aspen airport, where it encountered a rapid change in wind direction and velocity. The balloon then drifted east at low level and struck the static line. A video tape of the accident sequence was taken from another balloon at a distance of approximately one half mile. The tape does not show the basket, but does show a flash at the impact site, and shows the balloon drifting and climbing with the basket missing. Another witness said she saw the balloon drifting east just above the trees and saw the burner emitting periodic short bursts as the balloon proceeded laterally at high speed. The witness statement is attached. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to available information, the pilot had flown balloons in the local area for at least two years and had flown numerous flights in the Aspen valley. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Recorded weather at the Aspen airport at 0745 local time was 6,000 feet scattered clouds, 7,000 feet broken clouds, 20 miles visibility, temperature
Probable cause
FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR WAS HIGH WIND.
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Browse: Colorado · Cameron aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
