# NTSB FTW83FA324: Piccard AX-6, N99US, Azle, TX, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Azle, TX
- Coordinates: 32.719837, -97.450439 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7198&lon=-97.4504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA324

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING IN LIGHT WIND CONDITIONS, THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN BESIDE A POWER LINE. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE BALLOON ENVELOPE COLLAPSED OVER THE POWER LINE WHICH CARRIED 7200 VOLTS. THE VOLTAGE TRAVELED TO THE BASKET/GONDOLA WHICH OVERTURNED ON THE GRASS SURFACE. THE PLT & 1 PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED DUE TO CARDIAC ARREST FROM ELECTROCUTION. THE BALLOON WAS DAMAGED FROM HIGH VOLTAGE DISCHARGE TO GROUND, FLASH BURNS & SCORCHING. ALSO, A SMALL GRASS FIRE WAS STARTED BUT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY PERSONNEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99US-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 699, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 699 483-1
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. Conn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 31, 1982
- Departed: TX, ALEDO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 374 total, 374 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830711038689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711038689A), Jul 11, 1983: Picard AX6, Azle, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Balloon collided with electrical wires during landing.

## Other investigations on N99US (3)

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.

- [NTSB FTW90LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA122), Jun 23, 1990: Piccard P-80 (N99US), Peaster, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH.
- [NTSB DEN89LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA003), Oct 3, 1988: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW83LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA155), Mar 12, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Springtown, TX, no damage

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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