# NTSB FTW92LA209: Thunder and Colt Special Shape, Tyler, TX, August 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1992, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Tyler, TX
- Coordinates: 32.360126, -95.319076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3601&lon=-95.3191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA209

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH 69,000 VOLT POWER TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER TOWARD A DROP ZONE DURING AN ORGANIZED BALLOON RACE.  THE BALLOON BASKET WAS ABOUT 20 TO 25 FEET OFF OF THE GROUND AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE WIRES ARCED THROUGH THE BASKET SUSPENSION LINES.  ARC HOLES WERE FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND THE FUEL WAS IGNITED. THE BASKET FELL TO THE GROUND WHEN THE ENVELOPE WAS RELEASED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GPATY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Thunder and Colt SPECIAL SHAPE (SPECIAL SH)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Foster, Coy Z.
- Registered owner: Owens Sausage
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 1,000 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 7 nm away

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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