# NTSB FTW90LA021: Cameron N-105, N2055K, Bryan, TX, November 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1989, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Bryan, TX
- Coordinates: 30.63978, -96.360206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6398&lon=-96.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA021

## Probable cause

PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT/COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CHANGE AND HIS DELAYED RESPONSE IN INITIATING A CLIMB IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE TOWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tower(marked) (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO A BALLOON LAUNCH, THE WINDS AT THE PUBLIC PARK LAUNCH SITE WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE. AFTER LAUNCHING AND DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT AND INCREASE IN WIND SPEED. THE PILOT WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND INITIATE AN ASCENT THAT WOULD ALLOW HIS BALLOON TO CLEAR A 527 FEET AGL MARKED TOWER THAT WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1.25 STATUTE MILE FROM THE PARK. THE BALLOON STRUCK THE UPPER MOST PORTION OF THE TOWER AND THE ENVELOPE WAS TORN AND COLLAPSED CAUSING A RAPID DESCENT TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2055K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2055K-1998-10-26), registration cancelled 1998-10-26, S/N 5415 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron N-105
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US N-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-n-105) (registry code 1880217) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5415
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel M. Mcguire
- Registered owner: Cheron Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 799 total, 83 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 5 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 19891104044259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891104044259A), Nov 4, 1989: Camron N105, Bryan, TX, Substantial damage. Struck a marked tower 527 AGL after windshift changed balloons path. Ripped open balloon dropped to ground.

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.