# NTSB FTW90LA122: Piccard P-80, N99US, Peaster, TX, June 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Peaster, TX
- Location: 32.8533° N, 97.8722° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Peaster, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8533&lon=-97.8722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA122

## Probable cause

AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT, AS HE APPROACHED THE LANDING SITE, HAD THE VENT OPEN IN ORDER TO MAKE HIS INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. A HARD LANDING RESULTED AND THE BASKET TIPPED OVER. THE BALLOON BURNER PILOT LIGHT IGNITED A GRASS FIRE RESULTING IN SERIOUS BURNS BEING INFLICTED UPON THE PILOT AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BALLOON. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE BALLOON BURNERS WERE OPERATING 'CONSTANTLY' DURING THE FINAL APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99US-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 699, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD P-80
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6-99
- Airframe hours: 240
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Dobbs
- Registered owner: Richard Conn
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1989, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 2,405 total, 2,137 in this make and model, 1,063 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19900623022139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623022139A), Jun 23, 1990: Picard AX6, Peaster, TX, Destroyed. Made hard landing. Wind dragged basket which turned over trapping pilot. Pilot rescued balloon destroyed by fire.

## Other investigations on N99US (3)

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 DEN89LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA003), Oct 3, 1988: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW83FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA324), Jul 11, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Azle, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal
- [NTSB FTW83LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA155), Mar 12, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Springtown, TX, no damage

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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