# Accident 20030615014299A: Adams A55, Albuquerque, NM, June 15, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 15, 2003, 08:35 local time
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.0000° N, 106.6003° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0000&lon=-106.6003&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4031Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4031Z-2017-04-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Adams Balloon A55 (registry code 0050103, https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADAMS A55
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 265 total, 265 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA105) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030615014299A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DURING APPROACH FOR LANDING BALLOON CROSSED OVER A PAVED PARKING LOT. THE HEAT BEING RADIATED CREATED A THERMAL WHICH CAUSED THE ENVELOPE AND BASKET TO BEGIN ROTATING. THE SIGNIFICANT OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE RISE AROUND THE ENVELOPE EXAGGERATED THE DESCENT AND CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH THE PILOT COULD NOT GENERATE SUFFICIENT HEAT TO CLIMB THE BALLOON AWAY USING THE ACFT'S BURNERS. THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND INITIATED A POST IMPACT FIRE IN THE ENVELOPE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN03LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA105), Jun 15, 2003: Adams Balloon A55 (N4031Z), Albuquerque, NM, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's improper planned approach for a landing and obstacle clearance not maintained. A contributing factor was the power lines.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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