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CEN17CA013

2016-10-02 · Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N5161Y

Make / Model
AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8
Year of manufacture
1999 · 17 years old at event
Engine
NONE NONE
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19990623
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A67A4B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improperly planned landing, which resulted in a strike with power lines.

Factual narrative

The hot air free balloon was participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to the pilot, he was approaching a vacant field for landing after a one-hour flight. The pilot approached the field from about 8 feet above the ground and the envelope impacted an unnoticed power line during landing. The pilot deflated the envelope, but the wind pulled the envelope and basket into the lines, which resulted in arcing against the uprights and frame. The hot air free balloon was participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to the pilot, he was approaching a vacant field for landing after a one-hour flight. The pilot approached the field from about 8 feet above the ground and the envelope impacted an unnoticed power line during landing. The pilot deflated the envelope, but the wind pulled the envelope and basket into the lines, which resulted in arcing against the uprights and frame. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Flight planning/navigation-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_CEN17CA013.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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