Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On August 6, 2000, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International, Inc., S-77A balloon, N5164R, was not damaged when collided with a bush during landing near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured; however, one passenger was seriously injured. The balloon was being operated by Pegasus Balloon Tours under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated approximately 60 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he instructed passengers on landing procedures and techniques. He said that during the landing sequence, the balloon came down short of the intended spot and impacted a "small bush." The "basket tipped to an angle of 45 degrees, then righted itself." During this unexpected degree of tipping, the passenger broke her ankle.

The pilot said the weather was not a factor. The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a bush during the balloon landing.