Cameron A-210 hot air balloon ZK-FAR, landed in the sea, off New Brighton Beach near Christchurch, 19 October 1995
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
95-015
On Thursday 19 October 1995 at 0940 hours, Cameron A-210 balloon ZK-FAR, on a passenger scenic flight, was overtaken by a squall line, lifted and blown out to sea near North New Brighton, Christchurch. Three passengers were drowned. The rapid approach of the squall line and the pilot's non-observance of it because of preoccupation were factors in the accident. Safety issues addressed were the carriage of lifejackets, and procedures for approval of check pilots.
Location
off New Brighton Beach near Christchurch (-43.469927,172.723317) [may be approximate]