# NTSB FTW92DQA02: Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7, N5355M, Rio Rancho, NM, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Rio Rancho, NM
- Coordinates: 35.26958, -106.659233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2696&lon=-106.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DQA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DQA02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE BALLOON FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF TWO OF THE FUEL TANKS WHICH RESULTED IN VENTED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL LINE BEING LEFT LOOSE AND A FUEL VALVE LOCKED OPEN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - engine(s) operating
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,line - not secured (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - open (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON EXPERIENCED A FLASH FIRE DURING INFLATION PRIOR TO TETHERED FLIGHT.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED TWO OF THE FOUR FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE OPERATION.  IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE SECONDARY FUEL LINES WAS LOOSE AND LAYING UNCAPPED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET AND THE SECONDARY BLAST VALVE WAS FOUND LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION.  A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, USING INERT GAS, REVEALED THAT WITH THE SECONDARY VALVE LOCKED OPEN, FUEL WOULD VENT OUT OF THE LOOSE LINE WHEN THE PRIMARY BLAST VALVE WAS ACTIVATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5355M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5355M-1995-06-07), registration cancelled 1995-06-07, S/N 027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7
- Registry model: [Fantasy Sky Promotions FANTASY SEVEN BALLN](https://openairdocs.org/model/fantasy-sky-promotions-fantasy-seven-balln) (registry code 3410101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 027
- Airframe hours: 286
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: David W. Schuetz
- Registered owner: Braden Fantasy Aloft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1992, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private, commercial; flight hours: 157 total, 157 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920613021619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613021619A), Jun 13, 1992: FANTASY 7, Rio Ranch, NM, Minor damage. Flash fire during inflation burned pilot and a ground man. Had removed two of four tanks and left a open line.

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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