# NTSB DEN90LA048: Cameron N105, N29675, Littleton, CO, February 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1990, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Littleton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.489246, -105.050682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4892&lon=-105.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA048

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

DURING AN APPROACH TO LANDING, THE BALLOON PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND HAD GROWN STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED. HE SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO SPILL AIR TO INCREASE THE RATE OF DESCENT BY USE OF THE RED LINE, BUT IT SLIPPED THROUGH HIS GLOVED HAND. HE SAID THE BALLOON WAS CARRIED 300 FEET FARTHER THAN THE PLANNED TOUCHDOWN POINT, WHERE THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER POWER LINES. HE SAID THE WIRE CONTACT TORE A VERTICAL RIP SEVERAL FEET LONG IN THE ENVELOPE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE GONDOLA WITHOUT INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29675](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29675), registered now, S/N 5064 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON N105
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons N-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-n-105) (registry code 1880225) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5064
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Myles A. Prysby
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; flight hours: 51 total, 21 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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