# NTSB FTW83LA004: General Balloon AX-6, N2509E, Albuquerque, NM, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA004

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS LANDED IN THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE ENVELOPE DRAGGED ACROSS A 7200 VOLT POWERLINE WHICH BURNED THE ENVELOPE FABRIC. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS APPROACHING A LARGE OPEN FIELD WHEN A GUST OF WIND (DOWNDRAFT) CAUSED THE BALLOON TO LAND PREMATURELY IN THE BACKYARD AND THE DEFLATING ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE POWERLINE. A RECENTLY INSTALLED QUICK SHUT-OFF FUEL SYSTEM PROBABLY PREVENTED SERIOUS INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2509E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GENERAL BALLOON AX-6
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 514
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert M. Tabak
- Registered owner: Herbert M. Tabak
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 976 total, 38 in this make and model, 792 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19821003051119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821003051119A), Oct 3, 1982: Picard AX6, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline while landing during a balloon fiesta race. Arcing powerline burned balloon panels.

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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