# NTSB LAX93LA022: Thunder and Colt AX7-77, N666TE, Sierra Vista, AZ, October 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1992, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Sierra Vista, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.590478, -110.169792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5905&lon=-110.1698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA022

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH UNFORECAST UNFAVORABLE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS THE LAST TO DEPART THE PARK.  UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION SUBDIVISION THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED EXTENSIVE GUSTING WINDS. DURING THE INITIAL LANDING THE PILOT HAD TO LIFT OFF WHEN THE BALLOON PRECEDING IT ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY.  THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED IN INTENSITY.  THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LAND, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THE GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS.  ON THE FINAL LANDING THE WINDS DRAGGED THE BALLOON ON TOUCH DOWN UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES.  THE REPORTED WIND AT AN ADJACENT AIRFIELD WAS FROM THE WEST AT 10 KNOTS GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666TE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666TE-2020-02-19), registration cancelled 2020-02-19, S/N 1020 (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: 1020
- Airframe hours: 193
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jacquemin, Patricia C.
- Registered owner: Jacquemin, Patricia C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1992, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; flight hours: 212 total, 193 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FHU, 1 nm away

## 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 19921031047049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921031047049A), Oct 31, 1992: Thundr AX777, Sierra Vista, AZ, Destroyed. Reported wind increased after takeoff. On third landing attempt was dragged into wires and pole. Wind misjudged.

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.