# NTSB FTW89FA081: Head Balloons AX8-88, N4510H, Troy, TX, April 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Troy, TX
- Coordinates: 31.189132, -97.300712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1891&lon=-97.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA081

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TREE DURING THE LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH WIND & TREE(S).

## 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 - high wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLTS TOOK OFF ON A CHECK FLT IN A 10 TO 12 MPH WIND WITH GUSTS TO 15 MPH. A WX FORECAST INDICATED THERE WOULD BE HIGHER WINDS AS THE MORNING PROGRESSED. DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A NORMAL APCH ANGLE. HE OVER VENTED, THEN OVER BURNED TO COMPENSATE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GONDOLA COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE PIC WAS EJECTED. BOTH OF THE PILOT LIGHTS FOR THE BURNER WENT OUT. THE CHECK PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ROSE TO 300 FEET. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN IN A THERMAL DESCENT OF 1200 TO 1400 FT/MIN. THE PIC RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES & THE CHECK PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4510H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4510H-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 153, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-88
- Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (registry code 4280200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 153
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terrell W. Hendrix
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: NONE, TEMPLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; flight hours: 630 total, 600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPL, 10 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).

- [Accident 19890416008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890416008039A), Apr 16, 1989: Head AX888HEAD, Troy, TX, Substantial damage. On balloon check pilot made various errors, hit tree w as ejected. High gusty winds.

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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