Cameron Balloons Us V 77 N9528A

Summary

On 9 October 2013 at about 14:45 local time, a Cameron Balloons Us V 77 registered N9528A, operated by Kilgore Mark A, was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 October 2013 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.3147, -106.6486

Aircraft

Cameron Balloons Us V 77

Registration

N9528A

Category

Balloon

Year built

1990

Operator

Kilgore Mark A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Rio Rancho

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA007

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines on approach to land, resulting in a collision with the wires, a spark, and a subsequent explosion and on-board fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed on a balloon flight and had been airborne for a little over an hour before making three attempts to land. The wind was too strong on the first attempt; on the next attempt, they found themselves over a residential subdivision that prevented them from landing. The pilot then saw an open area on the other side of a street with power lines running along it. His intent was to get over the power lines and then drop the balloon down to the ground. They were over the road and a couple of feet over the power lines when the balloon dropped and struck the power lines. The pilot engaged the burner and the basket slid off the first two wires, but when the basket touched the third wire there was an electrical short and then an explosion. The pilot reported the explosion was the last thing he remembered until he found himself on the ground with the envelope going down.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.