Head Balloons AX8-88 N4510H
16 April 1989 · Troy, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 16 April 1989 at about 14:45 local time, a Head Balloons AX8-88 registered N4510H was involved in an accident near Troy, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Troy, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 31.1891, -97.3007
- Aircraft
- Head Balloons AX8-88
- Registration
- N4510H
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Temple → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW89FA081
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TREE DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH WIND & TREE(S).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PLTS TOOK OFF ON A CHECK FLT IN A 10 TO 12 MPH WIND WITH GUSTS TO 15 MPH. A WX FORECAST INDICATED THERE WOULD BE HIGHER WINDS AS THE MORNING PROGRESSED. DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A NORMAL APCH ANGLE. HE OVER VENTED, THEN OVER BURNED TO COMPENSATE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GONDOLA COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE PIC WAS EJECTED. BOTH OF THE PILOT LIGHTS FOR THE BURNER WENT OUT. THE CHECK PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ROSE TO 300 FEET. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN IN A THERMAL DESCENT OF 1200 TO 1400 FT/MIN. THE PIC RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES & THE CHECK PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Head Balloons AX8 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1993 | Head Balloons AX8-105 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 29 Jul 1995 | Head Balloons AX8-88 | Mesquite, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 1997 | Head Balloons AX8-88 | San Diego, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 2002 | Head Balloons AX8-88 | Victor, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 2004 | Head Balloons AX8-88 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2006 | Head Balloons AX8-88 | Gretna, Nebraska, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1989 | Mooney M20J | Jasper, Texas, United States | Stratton, William A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft V35B | Lampasas, Texas, United States | Phil P. O'neal | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 May 1989 | Piper PA-24-250 | Decatur, Texas, United States | Frazier, David R. | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 1989 | Beechcraft A36TC | Amarillo, Texas, United States | L.l.pownell | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1989 | Piper PA-32R | Stratford, Texas, United States | Sherman Implement Co. | No injuries | - |