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NTSB Report
October 14, 1989 · Thunder And Colt Clown · GGWIZ
Albuquerque, NM
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Thunder And Colt Clown
Tail Number
GGWIZ
Operator
Oxford Investments
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN90LA008
THE PLT WAS OPERATING HIS HOT AIR BALLOON IN A BALLOON FIESTA WITH 3 PASSENGERS (PAX). THE BALLOON WAS SHAPED LIKE A 138 FT TALL, STANDING CLOWN, WITH THE RIGHT ARM RAISED TO HEAD LEVEL. THE ARM IS DESIGNED TO WAVE WHEN THE PLT PULLED A CONTROL LINE. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING THE ASCENT, AT 20 FT AGL, THE BALLOON ENVELOPE BEGAN TO TEAR. HE SAID THE RIP CONTINUED UNTIL IT WAS 47 FT LONG, VERTICALLY. A WITNESS SAID THAT THE LOSS OF HOT AIR RESULTED IN A GENTLE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND THE BALLOON LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY. A POST-ACDNT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT DURING THE FIRST ARM CONTROL INPUTS, THE KELVAR CONTROL LINE PULLED LOOSE FROM AN ATTACHED 'D' RING, TORE A GROMMET LOOSE & SAWED THE FABRIC. RPRTDLY, THERE WERE NO LOAD TAPES INSTALLED IN THE AREA OF THE ARM/TORSO JUNCTURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE BALLOON ENVELOPE AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER'S QUALITY CONTROL OVERSIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS OPERATING HIS HOT AIR BALLOON IN A BALLOON FIESTA WITH 3 PASSENGERS (PAX). THE BALLOON WAS SHAPED LIKE A 138 FT TALL, STANDING CLOWN, WITH THE RIGHT ARM RAISED TO HEAD LEVEL. THE ARM IS DESIGNED TO WAVE WHEN THE PLT PULLED A CONTROL LINE. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING THE ASCENT, AT 20 FT AGL, THE BALLOON ENVELOPE BEGAN TO TEAR. HE SAID THE RIP CONTINUED UNTIL IT WAS 47 FT LONG, VERTICALLY. A WITNESS SAID THAT THE LOSS OF HOT AIR RESULTED IN A GENTLE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND THE BALLOON LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY. A POST-ACDNT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT DURING THE FIRST ARM CONTROL INPUTS, THE KELVAR CONTROL LINE PULLED LOOSE FROM AN ATTACHED 'D' RING, TORE A GROMMET LOOSE & SAWED THE FABRIC. RPRTDLY, THERE WERE NO LOAD TAPES INSTALLED IN THE AREA OF THE ARM/TORSO JUNCTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftThunder And Colt Clown
Tail NumberGGWIZ
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOxford Investments
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourcePILO