# NTSB DEN87LA232: National Balloon 858, N32201, Colorado Spring, CO, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 38.82069, -104.700569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8207&lon=-104.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA232

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL BALLOON PLT WAS COMPETING IN A BALLOON RACE. WHILE LANDING, WITH THE BASKET ON THE GROUND, THE BALLOON DRIFTED INTO POWER LINES. A LARGE HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE ENVELOPE, AND THE BASKET WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT AND TWO PASSENGERS JUMPED FROM THE BASKET JUST PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT AND WERE NOT INJURED.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32201-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 111, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: National Balloon 858
- Registry model: [National Ballooning 858](https://openairdocs.org/model/national-ballooning-858) (registry code 6113320) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 111
- Airframe hours: 112
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Petzinger
- Registered owner: Robert H Petzinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; flight hours: 230 total, 230 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19870905080299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870905080299A), Sep 5, 1987: Thundr AX8105, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Balloon envelope contacted a powerline after the basket landed. A large hole was burned in the envelope.

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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