# NTSB FTW02LA016: Thunder and Colt AX8-90, N407TC, Albuquerque, NM, October 13, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 2001, 08:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.109863, -106.580101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1099&lon=-106.5801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA016

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the obstacles during landing.  A contributing factor was the gusty winds.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle
  - object - pole

## Analysis

The balloon struck vehicles and poles during landing in gusty wind conditions.  The envelope received multiple tears, and the basket received light scrapes.  The weather observation facility reported the wind from 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots.

## Factual narrative

On October 13, 2001, at 0810 mountain daylight time, a Thunder and Colt AX8-90 balloon, N407TC, struck vehicles and poles during landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.  The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured, and the balloon sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area.  A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight which departed the Balloon Fiesta Park approximately 0800.

The pilot reported that during the landing in gusty wind conditions, the balloon struck a motor home, skidded along the ground, and struck a minivan.  Subsequently, the envelope caught 2 light poles, bending the poles approximately 45 degrees, before the basket came to rest against a sport utility van located in the parking lot.  The plastic top of the motor home was damaged, the right tail light was broken on the minivan, and the door was dented on the sport utility vehicle.  The envelope received multiple tears, and the basket received light scrapes.

At 0756, the Albuquerque weather observation facility reported the wind from 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 7 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit), and dew point -13 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit).  The altimeter setting was 30.01 inches of Mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N407TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N407TC-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 2158USA, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Thunder and Colt AX8-90
- 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: 2158USA
- Airframe hours: 289.5
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith R. Newbill
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2001, 11.2 hours before
- Departed: Albuquerque, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review June 10, 2000; flight hours: 427 total, 247 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 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 20011013027339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011013027339A), Oct 13, 2001: Thundr AX890S2, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 13, 2001, at 0815 mountain daylight time, a thunder and colt, AX8-90 balloon, N407TC, struck vehicles and poles during landing near…

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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