# NTSB FTW98LA009: Cameron N-90, N1602R, Albuquerque, NM, October 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 1997, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.060108, -106.620262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0601&lon=-106.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20449 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20449/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA009 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the pilot of the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, to follow procedures/directives. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the pilot of the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, to follow procedures/directives. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, maneuvering - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to witnesses, the Cameron N-90, N1602R, was descending at an altitude of approximately 250 feet to 300 feet agl. Another witness stated that the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, was 'moving towards the Cameron and was clearly descending rapidly while burning to arrest the decent.' The pilot of the Cameron reported that he was descending when the 'top of my balloon was hit from above by the bottom of the basket of another balloon.' The pilot of the Aerostar reported seeing the Cameron 'approaching below me at a slightly quicker ground speed; then N1602R began to ascend and I began to fire both of my burners.' FAR 91.113(b) states that 'vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.' Several balloon instructors stated that the balloon community teaches that the lower balloon has the right-of-way. Postaccident examination of photographs taken during the collision sequence reveal that after separating, the Aerostar rose approximately 275 feet, while the Cameron maintained its position relative to the balloons around him. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to witnesses, the Cameron N90, N1602R, was descending at an altitude of approximately 250 feet to 300 feet agl. Another witness stated that N71415 was 'moving towards N1602R and was clearly descending rapidly while burning to arrest the decent.' The pilot of N1602R reported that he was descending when the 'top of my balloon was hit from above by the bottom of the basket of another balloon.' The pilot of N71415 reported seeing N1602R 'approaching below me at a slightly quicker ground speed; then N1602R began to ascend and I began to fire both of my burners.' FAR 91.113(b) states that 'vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.' Several balloon instructors stated that the balloon community teaches that the lower balloon has the right-of-way. Postaccident examination of photographs taken during the collision sequence reveal that after separating, N71415 rose approximately 275 feet, while N1602R maintained its position relative to the balloons around him. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR FTW-98-LA-009A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 10, 1997, approximately 0840 mountain daylight time, a Cameron N-90 balloon, N1602R, owned and operated by Realescape, Inc., of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and an Aerostar International, Inc. RX 8 balloon, N71415, owned and operated by La Lorraine Enterprises of Albuquerque, New Mexico, collided while maneuvering near Albuquerque, New Mexico. N1602R was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. N71415 was not damaged, and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Both flights were being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flights and neither pilot had filed a flight plan. The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to witnesses, N1602R was descending at an altitude of approximately 250 feet to 300 feet agl. One witness stated that N71415 was moving towards N1602R from above and behind. N71415 was clearly descending rapidly and was burning to arrest the decent. Another witness stated the following: N1602R was "descending with the yellow balloon (N71415) to his south. All of the balloons were traveling south. The yellow balloon seemed to be standing still and was above N1602R when suddenly the yellow balloon's basket crashed into the top of N1602R's balloon, cutting the balloon in exactly the shape of the yellow balloon's basket." A witness reported that N71415 "kept descending until the heat that the pilot had been adding, added lift." The pilot of N1602R reported that he was descending when the "top of my balloon was hit from above by the bottom of the basket of another balloon." He further reported that the collision "tore a large hole in the top of my balloon, which increased my balloon's descent even faster." The pilot of N1602R said that he "immediately burned both burners on the way down to just above the ground and was able to slow the descent rate for a firm landing." The pilot of N71415 reported that he had been airborne for approximately 30 minutes and was "in level flight." He reported seeing N1602R "approaching below me in a slight NE to SE direction at a slightly quicker ground speed. I maintained altitude while waiting for N1602R to pass below me." He further reported that "N1602R began to ascend and I began to fire both of my burners." The pilot of N71415 stated that "N1602R continued to ascend and I continued to fire my burners until contact was made between N1602R's envelope and my gondola." He said that "N1602R began to descend and I continued to ascend." Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR 91.113(b)) states that "vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." Several balloon instructors reported to the IIC that "the balloon community teaches that the lower balloon has the right-of-way (see attachment)." Postaccident examination of photographs taken during the collision sequence reveal that after separating, N71415 rose approximately 275 feet, while N1602R maintained its position relative to the balloons around him. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N1602R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1602R-2012-01-09), registration cancelled 2012-01-09, S/N 5921, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cameron N-90 - Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US N-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-n-90) (registry code 1880260) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5921 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Realescape, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Albuquerque Balloon Park ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N71415](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71415), registered now, S/N RX8-3237, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar RX 8 - Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: RX8-3237 - Engines: unknown - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: La Lorraine Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, SANDIA PUEBLO, NM - Airport: NONE, Albuquerque Balloon Park ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N1602R; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 2,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N71415; age 37; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19971010030722A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971010030722A), Oct 10, 1997: Camron N90, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. The two balloons were practicipating in the alburquerque international balloon fiest. According to witnesses, N1602R was descending at an altitude of… - [Accident 19971010045221A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971010045221A), Oct 10, 1997: Arostr RX8, Albuquerque, NM. The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta. According to witnesses, N1602R was descending at an altitude of… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.