Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents
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2310 Total Accidents
425 Fatal
816 Fatalities
1982-2026
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6 Fatal
WOODY CREEK, Colorado
NTSB Narrative
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 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 44 degrees Fahrenheit, wind calm, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 Hg. Witnesses at the airport provided information that the wind at the airport often does not accurately reflect the winds in the center of the valley due to the airport being shielded by a hill from the wind which was reported by witnesses in the center of the valley where the balloon was operating.
Other weather given to the pilot, during the weather brief by Grand Junction Flight Service, is depicted in this document under METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION.
In addition to the above discussed video tape, another tape was taken from the ground. These tapes provide a depiction of the wind in the area at the time of the accident. They show the wind to be from the west with an increasing cloud cover. Witnesses estimated the wind to be approximately 30 miles per hour.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
According to physical evidence observed, and metallurgical examination of components on the balloon cables and static line, impact with the static line separated the balloon from the basket and the basket fell to the ground. The balloon drifted further to the east and was recovered approximately 5 miles from the accident site.
The power line complex, which the balloon collided with, spans a gully approximately 240 feet wide and 70 feet deep. From a horizontal view, o
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 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 44 degrees Fahrenheit, wind calm, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 Hg. Witnesses at the airport provided information that the wind at the airport often does not accurately reflect the winds in the center of the valley due to the airport being shielded by a hill from the wind which was reported by witnesses in the center of the valley where the balloon was operating.
Other weather given to the pilot, during the weather brief by Grand Junction Flight Service, is depicted in this document under METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION.
In addition to the above discussed video tape, another tape was taken from the ground. These tapes provide a depiction of the wind in the area at the time of the accident. They show the wind to be from the west with an increasing cloud cover. Witnesses estimated the wind to be approximately 30 miles per hour.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
According to physical evidence observed, and metallurgical examination of components on the balloon cables and static line, impact with the static line separated the balloon from the basket and the basket fell to the ground. The balloon drifted further to the east and was recovered approximately 5 miles from the accident site.
The power line complex, which the balloon collided with, spans a gully approximately 240 feet wide and 70 feet deep. From a horizontal view, o
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Details
| NTSB Report | DEN93FA100 |
| Aircraft | Cameron N-145 |
| Registration | N4141D |
| Damage | SUBS |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Location | 39.2790, -106.9008 |
