# NTSB DEN90LA003: Adams A55, N1059S, Albuquerque, NM, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.17971, -106.590789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1797&lon=-106.5908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: TREES AND POWER LINES IN THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT DURING A BALLOON FIESTA, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHEAR AND SNAGGED A TREE. AFTER BREAKING FREE OF THE TREE, THE WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON INTO POWERLINES. THE BASKET SEVERED THE TOP LINE AND ELECTRICAL ARCING WAS EVERYWHERE, SEVERING FOUR CABLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1059S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1059S), registered now, S/N 046, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams A55
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55) (registry code 0050103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 046
- Airframe hours: 192
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Linda R. Guy
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1989, 17 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 368 total, 368 in this make and model, 361 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891008039219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039219A), Oct 8, 1989: Adams A55, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Snagged a tree on landing, broke free then reported a wind gust put balloon into powerlines. Occupants jumped out.

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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