Sproul 72K-TET N72KX
10 October 2008 · Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 10 October 2008 at about 13:53 local time, a Sproul 72K-TET registered N72KX, operated by Keith A. Sproul, was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:53
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.3158, -106.5769
- Aircraft
- Sproul 72K-TET
- Registration
- N72KX
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Keith A. Sproul
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Albuquerque → Albuquerque
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN09LA009
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines and the failure of either pilot to take any corrective action to avoid the collision.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilots were participating in a balloon festival. A witness stated that the balloon was traveling northeast between 15 and 20 knots. The wind was gusting between 20 and 25 knots. The witness said, "As the balloon proceeded towards me...I noticed that there was no heat given to the envelope. [As the balloon flew over a ditch and upward slope, it] encountered an updraft from the low level winds causing this accident." Photographs taken by witnesses show the balloon approaching power lines. Neither pilot had their hands on the burner control. When the balloon struck the power lines, the suspension cables were partially severed. The fuel line was completely severed and began spewing liquid propane, and the basket caught fire. The occupants and part of the basket fell to the ground. The envelope drifted off and was later recovered some 7 miles away from the power lines. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were from 130 degrees at 4 knots.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sproul 72 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Oct 2007 | Sproul 72K-TET | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Mar 2008 | Spartan 7W | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Mar 2008 | Robinson R22 BETA | Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States | Premier Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 2008 | Maule MXT-7-180A | Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States | Michael D. Perry | Fatal | 2 |
| 12 Oct 2008 | Cessna 170 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | James Garner/Constance & Ernest Buenafe | No injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 2008 | Cameron Balloons Us A-105 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Tierney Ronald C | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Dec 2008 | Cessna T210L | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | JOCHEN Haber | No injuries | - |