# NTSB FTW92FA205: Cameron V-77, N9544G, Mesquite, TX, August 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 19:13 local (Aug 9, 1992, 00:13 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, TX
- Location: 32.7668° N, 96.5992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesquite, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7668&lon=-96.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA205

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM KNOWN OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE BALLOON CONTACTED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE BALLOON BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER LINES CAUSING ARCING TO TAKE PLACE IN AND AROUND THE BASKET AREA. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXTRICATE THE BALLOON FROM THE WIRES THE BASKET SEPARATED FROM THE BALLOON AND FELL 65 FEET TO A PAVED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9544G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9544G-1994-02-24), registration cancelled 1994-02-24, S/N 5568 (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)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5568
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holmes, Larry A.
- Registered owner: Holmes, Larry A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1988
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 160 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19920808029749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808029749A), Aug 8, 1992: Camron V77CAMERON, Mesquite, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck wires trying to land balloon. Arcing caused basket to fall free into parking lost. Inexperienced crew person

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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