# NTSB FTW90LA110: Adams A60S, N9811N, Austin, TX, May 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1990, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.259117, -97.959907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2591&lon=-97.9599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA110

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND OBSTACLES WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING INFLATED.  AFTER INFLATION WAS COMPLETED, THE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE GUSTING TO 15 KTS.  THE PLT ELECTED TO LAUNCH THE BALLOON THOUGH OBSTACLES & BUILDINGS WERE NEARBY.  DRG THE LAUNCH, THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A FLAG POLE, A BUILDING & TREES.  ONE PSGR WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE BUILDING.  THE BALLOON REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, WHILE THE PLT WAS SELECTING A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9811N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9811N), registered now, S/N 190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams A60S
- Registry model: [Elizabeth Adams Walz A60S](https://openairdocs.org/model/elizabeth-adams-walz-a60s) (registry code 0050460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hendrix, Terry W.
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N9811N (1)

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 FTW88LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA167), Jan 18, 1988: Adams A-60 (N9811N), Austin, TX, no damage. Probable cause: THE BALLOON WAS DEFLATED BY THE PASSENGER WHEN HE PULLED THE CROWN LINE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WAS THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN RELINQUISHING THE LINE TO THE PASSENGER.

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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