Incident Overview
On October 16, 2010, at 0737 mountain standard time, a Lindstrand 90A hot air balloon, registration N807PW, and a single-seat unregistered powered paraglider collided in midair near Cottonwood Airport in Cottonwood, Arizona. The hot air balloon was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Both aircraft had departed from Cottonwood Airport.
Injuries and Damage
The balloon pilot sustained minor injuries, while his two passengers and the paraglider pilot sustained serious injuries. The hot air balloon sustained substantial damage.
Events Leading to Collision
According to the balloon pilot, he was on a local area flight during an Airport Appreciation Day event. Multiple hot air balloons were flying in the area at the time. He observed the paraglider pilot maneuvering close to the balloon envelope. The balloon pilot waved his arms and shouted at the paraglider pilot that he was too close; however, the paraglider approached the balloon and descended, flying into the side of the envelope and penetrating it.
Descent and Landing
As the balloon and paraglider descended, they remained attached. The balloon pilot attempted to decrease the rate of descent as much as possible. During the descent, he provided an emergency briefing to his passengers and directed one of them to transmit a distress call. At 100 feet, the pilot turned off the pilot lights and closed the fuel tank valves. The basket then impacted the top of a fence and came to rest in an asphalt parking lot.
Paraglider Pilot's Account
According to the Cottonwood Police Department report, the paraglider pilot was interviewed at a medical center by a deputy. He reported that he and his son had departed from Cottonwood in their respective paragliders. The pilot intended to take pictures of a friend who was in one of the hot air balloons flying in the area. As he approached the balloon containing his friend, he noticed another hot air balloon below him, approximately 200 to 300 feet beneath; this was the balloon he eventually collided with. He took a picture of his friend and then saw the accident hot air balloon was 30 feet below and 50 feet in front of him. The paraglider pilot attempted an evasive maneuver, but the paraglider impacted the envelope of the balloon. Following the accident, the paraglider pilot told the balloon pilot that he had been taking photographs.