AO-1995-015

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.