# NTSB DEN04LA005: Lindstrand Balloons LBL, N994AF, Albuquerque, NM, October 5, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2003, 07:23 local (13:23 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 36.333332, -106.599998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3333&lon=-106.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA005 ## Probable cause the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. Contributing factors include the inadvertent activation of the deflation line by the pilot and the retaining wall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flight controls - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wall/barricade (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the passengers on board, the balloon was climbing when the pilot pulled the deflation line, releasing a flap at the top of the balloon. The balloon then descended rapidly striking terrain, bouncing, and then colliding with a retaining wall. The passengers were thrown to the floor of the balloon, seriously injuring two passengers. The pilot remained on his feet, re-inflated the balloon and continued the flight for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Two passengers asked the pilot, after the collision, what had happened. The pilot replied, "He had pulled the wrong chord." ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2003, at 0723 mountain daylight time, a Lindstrand Balloons LBL, N994AF, operated by Enchanted Winds Balloon Company, collided with a cement wall after departing Albuquerque City Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial certificated instructor pilot was not injured; however, two passengers received serious injuries and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at approximately 0715 and landed at approximately 0755. According to the pilot, during climb out the balloon encountered a downdraft. The pilot stated that he attempted to regain control of the balloon, but was unable before it impacted a cement wall. The balloon envelope received minor burn damage and two passengers were seriously injured. According to the passengers, the balloon was climbing when the pilot pulled the deflation line that released a flap at the top of the balloon. The balloon then descended rapidly striking terrain, bouncing, and then colliding with the retaining wall. The passengers were thrown to the floor of the balloon, but the pilot remained on his feet, re-inflated the balloon, and continued the flight for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Two passengers asked the pilot, after the collision, what had happened. The pilot replied, "He had pulled the wrong chord." The METAR (routine aviation weather) report taken at 0756: winds, 360 degrees at 8 knots; temperature 51 degrees F; dew point 45 degrees One passenger sustained a broken ankle and another passenger sustained a broken hip. All five passengers received abrasions and bruises. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N994AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N994AF-2011-10-18), registration cancelled 2011-10-18, S/N 104, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lindstrand Balloons LBL - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons LBL](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-lbl) (registry code 5180004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 104 - Airframe hours: 300 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Enchanted Winds Balloon Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2003 - Departed: NONE, Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; last flight review May 17, 2002; flight hours: 3,700 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 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 20031005027449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031005027449A), Oct 5, 2003: Lbl LBL210A, Albuquerque, NM, Minor damage. (-23) On October 5, 2003, at 0750 MST, a lindstrand balloon, model A-150, N994AF, collided with a cement wall shortly after takeoff from a public park located… 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.