# NTSB WPR20CA050: Head AX8 88B, N2224H, Las Cruces, NM, December 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 14, 2019, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.316944, -106.774719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3169&lon=-106.7747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 100735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100735/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100735 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA050 ## Probable cause A burner flameout, which resulted in the pilot's inability to arrest the balloon’s descent and its subsequent impact with power lines as he was trying to relight the burner. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-88B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=4280202), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-88B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4280202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-88B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=4280202), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-88B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4280202), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-88B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4280202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just after lifting off in the balloon, one of his passengers dropped to the bottom of the basket because he was afraid. After about 15 minutes of trying to get the passenger to relax, the pilot began looking for a place to land the balloon. The balloon was about 75 ft above ground level when the burner flamed out. While trying to relight the burner with a striker, the balloon descended and struck power lines, which severed four of the eight suspension cables attached to the basket. The balloon then impacted a building. According to the pilot, the burner had a history of flameouts, and he had experienced it many times. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that just after lifting off in the balloon, one of his passengers dropped to the bottom of the basket in fear. After about fifteen minutes of trying to get the passenger to relax, the pilot began looking for a place to land the balloon. The balloon was about 75 ft above ground level (agl) when the burner flamed out. While trying to relight the burner, the balloon descended and struck power transmission lines, severing four of the eight suspension cables attached to the basket. According to the pilot, the Adams burners have a history of flame outs, and he has experienced it many times. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the hot air balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2224H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2224H), registered now, S/N 351, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HEAD AX8 88B - Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-88B](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88b) (registry code 4280202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 351 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 300 - Engines: none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2019 - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 287.5 total, 282.5 in this make and model, 287.5 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KLRU ## 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 20191214021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191214021439A), Dec 14, 2019: Head Balloons Inc AX8-88B, Las Cruces, NM, Minor damage. On December 14, 2019, at 0853 MST, a Head balloons, inc. AX8-88B lighter-than-air balloon (N2224H) with airborne burner, registered to [privacy data omitted],… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100735. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.