# NTSB WPR26LA021: Aerostar International RX 8, N5315M, Albuquerque, NM, October 6, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2025, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM · Gonzales St. and 68th St. SW
- Coordinates: 35.073255, -106.71061
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0733&lon=-106.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 2025
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201894/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201894
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA021

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a descent for landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the balloon reported that, during the approach to the landing area, the balloon descended faster than anticipated while crossing over powerlines. Subsequently, the balloon collided with one of powerlines, which resulted in substantial damage to one of the frame’s aluminum upright tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5315M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5315M), registered now, S/N RX8-3355, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC 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: RX8-3355
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 702
- Engines: N/A none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2025
- Departed: N/A, Albuquerque, NM
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review May 15, 2024; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,276 total, 1,276 in this make and model, 1,276 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KABQ, 5 nm away
- METAR: METAR KABQ 061452Z 01006KT 10SM CLR 14/00 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP134 T01440000 53020 $=

## Other investigations on N5315M (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN08LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA007), Oct 9, 2007: Aerostar RX 8 (N5315M), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to high winds, resulting in the aircraft coming in contact with an arroyo and a wall in a residential area.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201894. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19588593&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19563889&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.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.

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