# NTSB DEN89LA003: Piccard AX-6, N99US, Albuquerque, NM, October 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1988, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.060829, -106.620407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0608&lon=-106.6204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - burned
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS COMPETING IN A BALLOON FIESTA, WITH 2 PAX. THE PLT SELECTED A LANDING FIELD WITH POWER LINES AND A STREET RUNNING EAST AND WEST ACROSS IT. THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING SOUTH AND THE PLT SELECTED THE SOUTH END OF THE FIELD FOR LANDING, REQUIRING THE FLIGHT PATH TO CROSS OVER THE LINES. DURING THE DESCENT FROM 200 FT AGL, THE PLT APPLIED HEAT TO LEVEL OFF SO THE BALLOON WOULD CLEAR THE POWER LINE IN THE FLIGHT PATH. THE PLT SAID THE ELEVATION MADE THE BALLOON'S RESPONSE SLUGGISH AND THE BASKET DESCENDED BELOW THE POWER LINES. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB BY ADDING MORE HEAT, THEN DEFLATED THE BALLOON TO STRIKE THE LINES WITH THE ENVELOPE RATHER THEN THE BASKET. THE ENVELOPE HIT THE LINES AND BURNED. THE BASKET HUNG 20 FT OFF THE GROUND FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, THEN SLID TO THE GROUND. MOLTEN MATERIAL FROM THE BURNING ENVELOPE FELL ON THE PAX AS THEY EXITED THE BASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99US-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 699, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 699
- Airframe hours: 242
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conn, Richard C.
- Registered owner: Richard Conn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1988, 11 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; flight hours: 2,407 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,063 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19881003043649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881003043649A), Oct 3, 1988: Picard AX6, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed. Misjudged power response landing over a powerline. Unable to climb. Deflated but bag hit wires and burned.

## Other investigations on N99US (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.

- [NTSB FTW90LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA122), Jun 23, 1990: Piccard P-80 (N99US), Peaster, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH.
- [NTSB FTW83FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA324), Jul 11, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Azle, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal
- [NTSB FTW83LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA155), Mar 12, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Springtown, TX, no damage

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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