# NTSB FTW95LA267: Thunder and Colt AX7-77, N5402V, Santa Fe, NM, July 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1995, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Coordinates: 35.670829, -105.949943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6708&lon=-105.9499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA267

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING FOR THE HIGH WIND LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND THE TREE STUMP.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A HIGH WIND LANDING WITH 2 PASSENGERS ONBOARD WHEN THE BASKET STRUCK A TREE STUMP AND DUMPED THE PILOT OUT OF THE BASKET. THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF WITH THE 2 PASSENGERS  STILL ONBOARD, STRIKING THE ROOF OF A HOUSE. THE GROUND CREW RADIOED THE PASSENGERS TO PULL THE CANOPY LANYARD, THE PASSENGERS FOLLOWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND THE BALLOON LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1995, at 0745 mountain daylight time, a Thunder AX7-77, N5402V, was undamaged while landing near Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local balloon flight.

During interviews, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot and the ground crew stated that the pilot was making a "high wind landing."  The basket impacted a tree stump and tipped the basket over, dumping the pilot out of the basket.  The balloon became airborne again with its two passengers and struck the roof of a residence.  The ground crew instructed the passengers, by radio, to pull the crown rope and release the hot air.  The balloon subsequently landed safely.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5402V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5402V-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Thunder and Colt AX7-77
- Registry model: [Thunder Balloons AX7-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/thunder-balloons-ax7-77) (registry code 8970107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: N5402V
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James J. Mcbride
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1994, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,960 total, 123 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19950704040379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950704040379A), Jul 4, 1995: Thundr AX777, Sante Fe, NM. High wind landing. Basket hit tree stump. Tipped over ejecting pilot. Balloon rose hit house. Pass told vent bag.

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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