# NTSB FTW05CA002: Thunder and Colt AA-1050, Crescent, OK, October 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2004, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC) - Place: Crescent, OK - Coordinates: 35.853332, -97.567497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8533&lon=-97.5675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW05CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60260/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW05CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high power transmission lines. Contributing factor was the dark night and high wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - wire,transmission (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - Fire, landing ## Analysis The 4,408-hour lighter-than-air pilot reported that upon landing in an open field during dark night visual conditions, the envelope of the hot air balloon struck a set of power lines. The pilot stated that during the approach to landing, his pilot rated observer used night vision goggles to examine the landing area for objects and did not see the power lines. The pilot added that the prior to landing, the wind changed direction from 080 degrees to 165 degrees and increased to approximately 13 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 2004, approximately 0530 central daylight time, a Thunder and Colt AA-1050 Gas Balloon, United Kingdom registration G-BSRJ, was destroyed upon collision with power lines while landing near Crescent, Oklahoma. The balloon was registered to Trezpark LTD., of Boulder, Colorado, and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated observer were not injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air race competition flight. The cross-country flight originated from a staging area near Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 1910 mountain daylight time on October 3, 2004. The 4,408-hour lighter-than-air pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was competing in a long distance competition held at the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. During the flight, the pilot obtained a weather briefing using a satellite telephone. After being informed of "convective activity to the west and south," he elected to land as soon as possible. The pilot stated that as he controlled the balloon for landing to a field, his observer examined landing area using night vision goggles, but did not see the power lines in the field. As the balloon settled onto the ground, the envelope struck the power lines. Subsequently, the pilot and observer exited the basket and observed sparks and fire initiating from the power lines. Approximately 30 minutes later, a ground fire ensued and consumed the entire envelope and basket. The pilot also reported that the wind changed direction from 080 degrees to 165 degrees and increased to approximately 13 knots prior to landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: G-BSRJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Thunder and Colt AA-1050 - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 1782 - Airframe hours: 625 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2004, 0 hours before - Departed: Albuquerque, NM - Destination: Crescent, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review March 31, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 4,408 total, 625 in this make and model, 107 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 16, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 3,241 total, 381 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 164° at 13 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg 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.