# NTSB FTW90FA024: Cameron V-77, N1998Y, Tornillo, TX, November 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1989, 09:31 local (16:31 UTC)
- Place: Tornillo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.440774, -106.080215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4408&lon=-106.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA024

## Probable cause

MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITOR SYSTEM, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE EMERGENCY BURNER RELIGHT PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - ignition system,igniter - failure,total (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE BALLOON SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER THE COLLISION, A FIRE ERUPTED, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. IN THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ATTEMPTING TO USE ANY OF THE REQUIRED BACKUP IGNITION SOURCES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1998Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1998Y-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 5341, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron V-77
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US V-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-v-77) (registry code 1880206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5341
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bartolett, Karen Jean
- Departed: NONE, FABENS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 397 total, 397 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891105044249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891105044249A), Nov 5, 1989: Camron V77CAMERON, Tornillo, TX, Substantial damage. Landed. Dropped passenger. Rose to land on FAR side of wires. Burners failed. Hit wires. Actuator wire was broken.

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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