# NTSB CEN09LA009: Sproul 72K-TET, N72KX, Rio Rancho, NM, October 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 2008, 07:53 local (13:53 UTC) - Place: Rio Rancho, NM - Coordinates: 35.315834, -106.576942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3158&lon=-106.5769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards Districxt Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 69262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69262/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69262 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines and the failure of either pilot to take any corrective action to avoid the collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05617N9), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05617N9), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05617N9), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05617N9), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=05617N9), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilots were participating in a balloon festival. A witness stated that the balloon was traveling northeast between 15 and 20 knots. The wind was gusting between 20 and 25 knots. The witness said, "As the balloon proceeded towards me...I noticed that there was no heat given to the envelope. [As the balloon flew over a ditch and upward slope, it] encountered an updraft from the low level winds causing this accident." Photographs taken by witnesses show the balloon approaching power lines. Neither pilot had their hands on the burner control. When the balloon struck the power lines, the suspension cables were partially severed. The fuel line was completely severed and began spewing liquid propane, and the basket caught fire. The occupants and part of the basket fell to the ground. The envelope drifted off and was later recovered some 7 miles away from the power lines. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were from 130 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 10, 2008 at 0753 mountain daylight time, a Sproul 72K-TET, N72KX, piloted by a balloon-rated pilot, was destroyed when it struck power lines and impacted terrain in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured, and the owner/pilot was seriously injured. The local flight originated in Albuquerque approximately 0700. The pilot and the owner/pilot were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. The owner/pilot's injuries precluded him from submitting an accident report until March 5, 2009. According to his report, he had no memory of the accident. In a telephone interview, he said he allowed the pilot to fly the balloon so he could acquire more experience in flying this type of experimental balloon. He indicated that the pilot had flown the balloon on four different occasions, including the accident flight, and had acquired 4 hours of flight time. One witness to the preflight procedures and the accident stated that the owner/pilot indicated that the pilot would be acting as pilot-in-command for this flight. Several witnesses observed the pilot inflating the balloon before the flight and operating the burners during the flight. One witness also indicated that the pilot was registered at the event as a pilot on this balloon. Twelve witness statements were collected by various law enforcement agencies. One witness stated the balloon was traveling northeast between 15 and 20 knots. The wind was gusting between 20 and 25 knots. "As the balloon proceeded towards me...I noticed that there was no heat given to the envelope. [As the balloon flew over a ditch/slope, it] encountered an updraft from the low level winds causing this accident." Another witness, who noted the balloon fiesta was conducting a mass ascension of “Special Shape balloons,” was critical of balloon fiesta officials for allowing pilots to take off in the wind conditions that existed. He said that since he was a “contract balloon, [he] felt an obligation to fly as part of the fiesta. He said that at 0615, there was a pilot briefing that included a “detailed weather briefing.” At that time, surface winds were less than 10 knot but “winds aloft were expected to increase during the day.” He took off at 0725 and flew at 6,800 feet on a heading approximately 340 to 350 degrees. As he flew over Rio Rancho, he observed other balloons making “drag landings (dragging to a stop) of approximately 20 to 30 feet.” Surface winds were easterly, between 080 and 090 degrees. He observed another balloon approximately 1 mile in front of him make a landing that was “not affected by the high surface winds.” He landed between Santa Ana Casino and Jackalope on Highway 550, about a mile from the site of the fatal accident. This witness wrote: "Once the special shape balloons had left balloonfiesta park, the competition would begin for the other 600+ registered balloons. I could not believe that the balloon fiesta officials had not cancelled their competition. The surface winds that would be encountered during the landing phase of the flight were obviously in excess of the FAA waiver. It is my opinion that the officials of the balloon fiesta acted in a reckless manner in knowingly allowing balloons to fly when the surface winds were at a dangerous speed within the landing areas. It is further my opinion that the balloon fiesta officials knowingly caused the destruction of property and life." The following winds were recorded at Albuquerque International Sunport: At 0556 local, 130 degrees at 6 knots At 0656 local, 120 degrees at 4 knots At 0756 local, 130 degrees at 4 knots At 0856 local, 180 degrees at 7 knots Photographs taken by witnesses showed the balloon approaching the power lines. Neither pilot had their hands on the burner. When the balloon struck the power lines, the suspension cables were partially severed. The fuel line was completely severed and began spewing liquid propane. The basket caught fire and the occupants fell to the ground, as did part of the basket. The envelope drifted off and was later recovered some 7 miles away. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 1.1, “Definitions and Abbreviations,” states that the pilot-in-command means the person who (1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight; (2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and (3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight. FAR 91.103, "Preflight action." states (in part): "Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight." FAR 91.13, "Careless or reckless operation," states (in part): "(a) Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72KX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72KX), registered now, S/N S-003, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sproul 72K-TET - Registry model: [Sproul Keith A 72K-TET](https://openairdocs.org/model/sproul-keith-a-72k-tet) (registry code 05617N9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon, amateur-built - Serial number: S-003 - Airframe hours: 92 - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Keith A. Sproul - Registered owner: Keith A. Sproul - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2007 - Departed: NONE, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: NONE, Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: fatal; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 610 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081010852639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081010852639A), Oct 10, 2008: Sproul 72KTET, Bernalillo, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On October 10, 2008 at 0753 MDT an experimental amature built balloon, N72KX, was destroyed by fire when it came in contanct with electrical power lines. The… ## Other investigations on N72KX (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 DEN08LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA005), Oct 9, 2007: Sproul 72K-TET (N72KX), Rio Rancho, NM, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate inflight planning/judgment, and his selection of unsuitable terrain on which to make a landing. Contributing factors in this accident were the unfavorable wind, and the pilot… ## Docket (20 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69262. 21.9 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 819 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 980 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Site Diagram (item 4, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Site%20Diagram-Redacted.PDF - Toxicology Reports (item 5, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Reports-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Just before balloon hit power lines. (item 6, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Just%20before%20balloon%20hit%20power%20lines.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Another view of ballon just before power line strike. Note pilot does not have his hand on burner control. (item 7, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Another%20view%20of%20ballon%20just%20before%20power%20line%20strike.%20%20Note%20pilot%20does%20not%20have%20his%20hand%20on%20burner%20control.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Basket strikes power line. (item 8, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Basket%20strikes%20power%20line.-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Several suspension cables and fuel line have been burnt through. Note fuel vapor escaping. (item 9, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Several%20suspension%20cables%20and%20fuel%20line%20have%20been%20burnt%20through.%20%20Note%20fuel%20vapor%20escaping.-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Part of basket has fallen to ground, the remainder is afire as balloon drifts away. (item 10, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Part%20of%20basket%20has%20fallen%20to%20ground,%20the%20remainder%20is%20afire%20as%20balloon%20drifts%20away.-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Basket fell to ground and started brush fire. (item 11, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Basket%20fell%20to%20ground%20and%20started%20brush%20fire.-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Basket completely involved in fire. (item 12, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Basket%20completely%20involved%20in%20fire.-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Balloon afire drifts away. (item 13, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Balloon%20afire%20drifts%20away.-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Balloon drifts away at high altitude. (item 14, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Balloon%20drifts%20away%20at%20high%20altitude.-Master.PDF - Photo 10 Envelope and burner where it came to rest after landing 7 miles away from accident site (item 15, .PDF, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010%20%20Envelope%20and%20burner%20where%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20after%20landing%207%20miles%20away%20from%20accident%20site-Master.PDF - Petition For Reconsideration (item 16, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Petition%20For%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF - Petition For Reconsideration Supplement (item 17, .PDF, 957 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Petition%20For%20Reconsideration%20Supplement-Master.PDF - Brief of Accident (Original) (item 18, .PDF, 783 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Brief%20of%20Accident%20(Original)-Master.PDF - Factual Report (Original) (item 19, .PDF, 861 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Factual%20Report%20(Original)-Master.PDF - Response to Petition for Reconsideration (item 20, .PDF, 897 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Response%20to%20Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.