# NTSB DEN07CA011: Adams A55S, N9019A, Albuquerque, NM, October 15, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 15, 2006, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.153331, -106.786109
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1533&lon=-106.7861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA011

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision.  A contributing factor was the unfavorable wind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

As the balloon drifted south and approached Interstate Highway 40, the southerly wind of about 5 knots increased in velocity and the pilot decided to land.  He saw an open field and made his landing approach.  A "strong wind shear drove the balloon into the ground."  During the ground impact, the envelope contacted power lines, causing several panels to sustain burn damage and thermally severed 7 of the16 suspension cables.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 2006, approximately 0850 mountain daylight time, an Adams A55S balloon, N9019A, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the it struck power lines during descent at Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan.  The pilot was not injured but two passengers received minor injuries.  The local flight originated from the Albuquerque Balloon Festival Park approximately 0815.

According to the pilot's accident report and the statement he gave FAA inspectors, the balloon was drifting south and approaching Interstate Highway 40.  The southerly wind of about 5 knots increased in velocity and the pilot decided to land.  He saw an open field and made his landing approach.  A "strong wind shear drove the balloon into the ground."  The balloon contacted the power lines, grounding them and causing a power loss.  Although no load tapes were damaged, several panels in the envelope below the equator had burn holes.  In  addition, 7 of 16 suspension cables were thermally severed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9019A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9019A), registered now, S/N 017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams A55S
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A55S](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55s) (registry code 0050105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 017
- Airframe hours: 560
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey J. Stocker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: NONE, Albuquerque, NM
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review July 1, 2005; flight hours: 100 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: AB Q, 5 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 20061015021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061015021249A), Oct 15, 2006: Adams A55S, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 15, 2006 at 0850 an Adams A55S balloon, owned and operated by the pilot [privacy data omitted] hit power lines while attempting to land 3…

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.

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