# NTSB DEN86LA006: Skypower GBN-41-100, N59SP, Pecos, NM, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 23:15 local (Oct 6, 1985, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Pecos, NM
- Coordinates: 35.569824, -105.669471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5698&lon=-105.6695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FLT WAS PARTICIPATION IN THE 1985 BALLOON FIESTA, A NIGHT HELIUM-FILLED BALLOON RACE FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, TO ELKHART, KANSAS. ONE HR AFTER LAUNCH PLT ENCOUNTERED SMALL WIND SHEAR, CAUSING LOSS OF ALTITUDE, BALLAST, AND HELIUM. PLT THEN ENCOUNTERED RAIN, SNOW, ICE AND SEVERE WIND SHEAR. ICE CAUSED BALLOON TO DESCEND. ALL BALLAST WAS THROWN OVERBOARD, AS WAS COMMUNICATIONS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT. BALLOON CLEARED ONE PEAK BUT CRASHED INTO EAST SIDE OF PECOS-BALDY MOUNTAIN AT THE 10,900-FT LEVEL. PLTS WALKED OUT OF WILDERNESS  AREA THE NEXT AFTERNOON WITH MINOR INJURIES AND FROSTBITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59SP), registered now, S/N 121, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Skypower GBN-41-100
- Registry model: [Skypower GBN-41-1000](https://openairdocs.org/model/skypower-gbn-41-1000) (registry code 8280041) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 121
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dr. James O. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ELKHART, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 250 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 2 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851005054519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005054519A), Oct 5, 1985: Amtr GBN411000, Pecos, NM, Destroyed. Uncontrolled descent into trees after encountering unforecast freezing rain, snow and severe up and downdrafts.

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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