# Accident 20161002016139A: Aerostar International Inc RX 8, Albuquerque, NM, October 2, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 2, 2016, 08:30 local time
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1344° N, 106.6144° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1344&lon=-106.6144&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5161Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5161Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aerostar International RX 8 (registry code 7487008, https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 317 total, 150 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN17CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA013) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161002016139A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED POWER LINES DURING AN APPROACH TO LANDING. THE PILOT HAD INITIALLY SELECTED A PARKING LOT, BUT, TO AVOID OBSTACLES, DECIDED TO CROSS A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP AND LAND IN AN OPEN AREA. NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE TWO PASSENGERS SAW THE POWER LINES CROSSING THE OFF-RAMP BEFORE IMPACT. AFTER THE ENVELOPE HIT THE WIRES, THE PILOT PULLED THE VENT LINE.  AS THE BALLOON DEFLATED, THE WIND CAUGHT THE ENVELOPE AND PULLED THE BASKET INTO THE WIRES. ONE WIRE SLID UNDERNEATH THE BASKET AND CAUSED A SPARK THAT INJURED ONE PASSENGER. AS THE ENVELOPE DEFLATED FURTHER, IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

## 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 CEN17CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA013), Oct 2, 2016: Aerostar RX-8 (N5161Y), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improperly planned landing, which resulted in a strike with power lines.

## Other reports on N5161Y (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20051008029079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051008029079A), Oct 8, 2005: Arostr RX8 (N5161Y), Globe, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Just after landing and prior to pilot and passenger exiting the basket, a sudden wind gust lifted the balloon 10 to 15 feet. The balloon then rapidly…

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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