# NTSB DEN91LA007: Balloon Works AX9, N90240, Cedar Crest, NM, October 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 19:05 local (Oct 7, 1990, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Crest, NM
- Coordinates: 35.119865, -106.410476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1199&lon=-106.4105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA007

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DELAYED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND THE SUBSEUQENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR WAS THE ENCOUNTER WITH HIGH WINDS  IN FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

A BALLOON FLIGHT OVER THE CITY RESULTED IN THE BALLOON BEING CARRIED OVER THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WORSE WINDS AFTER CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS, AND ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE 090 DEGREES AT 24, GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A HIGH WIND LANDING AND STRUCK SEVERAL TREES. THE ENVELOPE, GONDOLA, AND SUSPENSION LINES WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PILOT FAILED TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL THE FAA CONTACTED HIM. THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BALLOON HAD NO FUEL LEFT TO CLIMB OR MANEUVER, MAKING THE HIGH WIND LANDING THE ONLY OPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90240-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N F9-012, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS AX9
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 9](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-9) (registry code 1050120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F9-012
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Balloons Above The Valley
- Departed: NONE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 670 total, 670 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 24 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ

## 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 19901006045079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006045079A), Oct 6, 1990: Balwks FIREFLY9, Cedar Crest, NM, Substantial damage. Wind speed increased during sightseeing flight. Elected to extend flight over mountains. Out of fuel crash landed.

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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