Cameron O-84 N74000
26 August 1990 · Taos, New Mexico, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 26 August 1990 at about 15:30 local time, a Cameron O-84 registered N74000 was involved in an accident near Taos, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were on board and one died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Taos, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 36.3798, -105.5698
- Aircraft
- Cameron O-84
- Registration
- N74000
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Taos → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN90FA176
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND ENCOUNTERED LATE IN THE ATTEMPTED LANDING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE BALLOON WAS APPROACHING AN OPEN FIELD FOR LANDING AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND THE BALLOON'S RATE OF DESCENT WAS SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR A POWERLINE, WHICH IT DID. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT NOTICED THE WIND HAD SHIFTED AND WAS MOVING THE BALLOON TOWARDS THE POWERLINE, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY. THE PILOT FIRED BOTH PROPANE BURNERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO-AROUND. THE BALLOON BEGAN CLIMBING BUT CONTACTED THE POWERLINE. ONE PASSENGER WAS ELECTROCUTED AND FELL OUT OF THE BASKET. THE PILOT LANDED THE BALLOON IN AN ADJOINING FIELD.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 1990 | Cessna 172RG | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Coronado Air Center | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1990 | Hughes 369HS | Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | Charles Bella | Serious injuries | - |
| 8 Jun 1990 | Cessna 150J | Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | West Mesa Flying Assoc. Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1990 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Truth/Consequen, New Mexico, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Jun 1990 | Buchanan S1-S | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jul 1990 | Stinson 108 | Clovis, New Mexico, United States | Young, Richard G. | No injuries | - |