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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

May 27, 1990 · Adams A60S · N9811N

Austin, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Austin, TX
Aircraft
Adams A60S
Tail Number
N9811N
Operator
Hendrix Terry W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA110

THE PLT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING INFLATED. AFTER INFLATION WAS COMPLETED, THE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAUNCH THE BALLOON THOUGH OBSTACLES & BUILDINGS WERE NEARBY. DRG THE LAUNCH, THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A FLAG POLE, A BUILDING & TREES. ONE PSGR WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE BUILDING. THE BALLOON REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, WHILE THE PLT WAS SELECTING A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND OBSTACLES WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING INFLATED. AFTER INFLATION WAS COMPLETED, THE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAUNCH THE BALLOON THOUGH OBSTACLES & BUILDINGS WERE NEARBY. DRG THE LAUNCH, THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A FLAG POLE, A BUILDING & TREES. ONE PSGR WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE BUILDING. THE BALLOON REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, WHILE THE PLT WAS SELECTING A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAdams A60S
Tail NumberN9811N
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHendrix Terry W
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 49 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data