# NTSB DEN90LA005: Aerostar RX-8, N3581D, Albuquerque, NM, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE AREA (TERRAIN) FOR LANDING.  THE STATIC CABLE & POWER LINE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3581D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3581D), registered now, S/N RX8-3023, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR RX-8
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 3023
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen M.  &  Cookie M. See
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1989, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; flight hours: 80 total, 20 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19891008039329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039329A), Oct 8, 1989: Arostr RX8, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Basket caught a parking lot barrier cable on landing. Ejected pilot and a passenger. Balloon rose,hit powerlines.

## Other investigations on N3581D (1)

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 FTW97LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA023), Oct 8, 1996: Aerostar RX 8 (N3581D), Albuquerque, NM, no damage. Probable cause: A sudden increase in wind velocity.

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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