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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 3, 1982 · General Balloon AX-6 · N2509E

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

October 3, 1982

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (3 uninjured)

Location

Albuquerque, NM

Aircraft

General Balloon AX-6

Tail Number

N2509E

Operator

Herbert M Tabak

Injuries

None

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

FTW83LA004

THE BALLOON WAS LANDED IN THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE ENVELOPE DRAGGED ACROSS A 7200 VOLT POWERLINE WHICH BURNED THE ENVELOPE FABRIC. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS APPROACHING A LARGE OPEN FIELD WHEN A GUST OF WIND (DOWNDRAFT) CAUSED THE BALLOON TO LAND PREMATURELY IN THE BACKYARD AND THE DEFLATING ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE POWERLINE. A RECENTLY INSTALLED QUICK SHUT-OFF FUEL SYSTEM PROBABLY PREVENTED SERIOUS INJURY.

Full Narrative

THE BALLOON WAS LANDED IN THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE ENVELOPE DRAGGED ACROSS A 7200 VOLT POWERLINE WHICH BURNED THE ENVELOPE FABRIC. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS APPROACHING A LARGE OPEN FIELD WHEN A GUST OF WIND (DOWNDRAFT) CAUSED THE BALLOON TO LAND PREMATURELY IN THE BACKYARD AND THE DEFLATING ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE POWERLINE. A RECENTLY INSTALLED QUICK SHUT-OFF FUEL SYSTEM PROBABLY PREVENTED SERIOUS INJURY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time10:00 MDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGeneral Balloon AX-6

Tail NumberN2509E

Aircraft CategoryBall

DamageSubstantial

OperatorHerbert M Tabak

Operating RulePart 91

Engines0

Engine TypeUnknown

Engine DetailsUnknown

Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured3

Total3

Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind360° @ 5 kt

Visibility30 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

500 – Data service is offline

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October 3, 1982 · General Balloon AX-6 · N2509E

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