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NTSB Report
August 26, 1990 · Cameron O-84 · N74000
Taos, NM
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Location
Taos, NM
Aircraft
Cameron O-84
Tail Number
N74000
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN90FA176
THE BALLOON WAS APPROACHING AN OPEN FIELD FOR LANDING AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND THE BALLOON'S RATE OF DESCENT WAS SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR A POWERLINE, WHICH IT DID. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT NOTICED THE WIND HAD SHIFTED AND WAS MOVING THE BALLOON TOWARDS THE POWERLINE, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY. THE PILOT FIRED BOTH PROPANE BURNERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO-AROUND. THE BALLOON BEGAN CLIMBING BUT CONTACTED THE POWERLINE. ONE PASSENGER WAS ELECTROCUTED AND FELL OUT OF THE BASKET. THE PILOT LANDED THE BALLOON IN AN ADJOINING FIELD.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND ENCOUNTERED LATE IN THE ATTEMPTED LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON WAS APPROACHING AN OPEN FIELD FOR LANDING AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND THE BALLOON'S RATE OF DESCENT WAS SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR A POWERLINE, WHICH IT DID. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT NOTICED THE WIND HAD SHIFTED AND WAS MOVING THE BALLOON TOWARDS THE POWERLINE, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY. THE PILOT FIRED BOTH PROPANE BURNERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO-AROUND. THE BALLOON BEGAN CLIMBING BUT CONTACTED THE POWERLINE. ONE PASSENGER WAS ELECTROCUTED AND FELL OUT OF THE BASKET. THE PILOT LANDED THE BALLOON IN AN ADJOINING FIELD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCameron O-84
Tail NumberN74000
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:47
Weather SourceWFAC