# NTSB CEN17CA013: Aerostar RX-8, N5161Y, Albuquerque, NM, October 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 2, 2016, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.134445, -106.61444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1344&lon=-106.6144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 94168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94168/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94168 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's improperly planned landing, which resulted in a strike with power lines. ## 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: [Aerostar International RX 8, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7487008), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7487008), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7487008), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX 8, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7487008), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The hot air free balloon was participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to the pilot, he was approaching a vacant field for landing after a one-hour flight. The pilot approached the field from about 8 feet above the ground and the envelope impacted an unnoticed power line during landing. The pilot deflated the envelope, but the wind pulled the envelope and basket into the lines, which resulted in arcing against the uprights and frame. ## Factual narrative The hot air free balloon was participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to the pilot, he was approaching a vacant field for landing after a one-hour flight. The pilot approached the field from about 8 feet above the ground and the envelope impacted an unnoticed power line during landing. The pilot deflated the envelope, but the wind pulled the envelope and basket into the lines, which resulted in arcing against the uprights and frame. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5161Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5161Y), registered now, S/N RX8-3318, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR RX-8 - Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 3318 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 315 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2016 - Departed: Albuquerque, NM - Destination: Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; last flight review August 9, 2015; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 317 total, 150 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KABQ, 6 nm away ## 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 20161002016139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161002016139A), Oct 2, 2016: Aerostar International Inc RX 8, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. 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… ## Other investigations on N5161Y (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 LAX06CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA012), Oct 8, 2005: Aerostar RX-8 (N5161Y), Globe, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's encounter with a wind gust during landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94168. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.