# NTSB DEN99LA011: Thunder and Colt AX8-90 S 2, N790TC, Albuquerque, NM, October 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1998, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.059776, -106.619369 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0598&lon=-106.6194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 5 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45113 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45113/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper planning for his landing site approach which resulted in the balloon landing in close proximity to electrical transmission lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - balloon equipment,envelope - entangled - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The balloon had landed and was disembarking its occupants when the envelope became entangled in adjacent transmission wires. One passenger reported receiving an electrical shock, and was later examined at a local hospital. The pilot said that the envelope could not be extracted from the wires until the power was shut off, subsequently, approximately 25 envelope panels were destroyed. The reported wind at Albuquerque International Airport at the time of the accident was 160 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot failed to fill out and return a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1998, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Thunder & Colt AX8-90 S 2 balloon, N790TC, was substantially damaged when the envelope became entangled in transmission wires while disembarking its passengers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and three passengers were not injured; however, one passenger received minor injuries. The balloon was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the commercial sight-seeing flight which originated approximately one hour before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the FAA inspector, the balloon had landed and was disembarking its occupants when the envelope became entangled in adjacent transmission wires. One passenger reported receiving an electrical shock, and was later examined at a local hospital. The pilot said that the envelope could not be extracted from the wires until the power was shut off, subsequently, approximately 25 envelope panels were destroyed. The reported wind at Albuquerque International Airport at the time of the accident was 160 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot was interviewed by telephone and was sent three successive Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Reports, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, in an attempt to get more information about the accident. The pilot failed to fill out and return any of the forms. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N790TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N790TC-2010-12-09), registration cancelled 2010-12-09, S/N 2526USA, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thunder and Colt AX8-90 S 2 - Registry model: [Thunder & Colt Airborne Amer AX8-90 S 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/thunder-colt-airborne-amer-ax8-90-s-2) (registry code 2301214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 2526USA - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Joe A. Smith - Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 4 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 19981009029069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981009029069I), Oct 9, 1998: Thundr AX890S2, Albuqerque, NM, Minor damage. Hot air balloon was landing when the wind shifted, and the acft struck a power line. On 10/09/98, approximately 1011 mountain daylight time, a thunder & colt… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.