NTSB CAROL · Event
Event WPR26LA021
Registry · N5315M
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8
Year of manufacture
2002 · 23 years old at event
Engine
NONE NONE
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20020508
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6B737
Registrant of record
DESPRES DENISE
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a descent for landing.
Factual narrative
The pilot of the balloon reported that, during the approach to the landing area, the balloon descended faster than anticipated while crossing over powerlines. Subsequently, the balloon collided with one of powerlines, which resulted in substantial damage to one of the frame’s aluminum upright tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Not attained/maintained
- — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Response/compensation
- — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2025_WPR26LA021.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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