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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 9, 1998 · Thunder And Colt AX8-90 S 2 · N790TC

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1998
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 minor injuries)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Thunder And Colt AX8-90 S 2
Tail Number
N790TC
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA011

The balloon had landed and was disembarking its occupants when the envelope became entangled in adjacent transmission wires. One passenger reported receiving an electrical shock, and was later examined at a local hospital. The pilot said that the envelope could not be extracted from the wires until the power was shut off, subsequently, approximately 25 envelope panels were destroyed. The reported wind at Albuquerque International Airport at the time of the accident was 160 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot failed to fill out and return a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper planning for his landing site approach which resulted in the balloon landing in close proximity to electrical transmission lines.

Full Narrative

On October 9, 1998, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Thunder & Colt AX8-90 S 2 balloon, N790TC, was substantially damaged when the envelope became entangled in transmission wires while disembarking its passengers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and three passengers were not injured; however, one passenger received minor injuries. The balloon was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the commercial sight-seeing flight which originated approximately one hour before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the FAA inspector, the balloon had landed and was disembarking its occupants when the envelope became entangled in adjacent transmission wires. One passenger reported receiving an electrical shock, and was later examined at a local hospital. The pilot said that the envelope could not be extracted from the wires until the power was shut off, subsequently, approximately 25 envelope panels were destroyed. The reported wind at Albuquerque International Airport at the time of the accident was 160 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot was interviewed by telephone and was sent three successive Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Reports, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, in an attempt to get more information about the accident. The pilot failed to fill out and return any of the forms.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThunder And Colt AX8-90 S 2
Tail NumberN790TC
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor5
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data