Cameron V-77 N1998Y
5 November 1989 · Tornillo, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 5 November 1989 at about 16:31 local time, a Cameron V-77 registered N1998Y, operated by Bartolett, Karen Jean, was involved in an accident near Tornillo, Texas, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 16:31
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tornillo, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 31.4408, -106.0802
- Aircraft
- Cameron V-77
- Registration
- N1998Y
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Bartolett, Karen Jean
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Fabens → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW90FA024
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITOR SYSTEM, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE EMERGENCY BURNER RELIGHT PROCEDURES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE BALLOON SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER THE COLLISION, A FIRE ERUPTED, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. IN THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ATTEMPTING TO USE ANY OF THE REQUIRED BACKUP IGNITION SOURCES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cameron V-77 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Dec 1991 | Cameron V-77 | Littleton, Colorado, United States | David & Janet Woods | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Aug 1991 | Cameron V-77 | New Middletown, Ohio, United States | Jeffery A Bader | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Sep 1992 | Cameron V-77 | Littleton, Colorado, United States | Payne, Kathie A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 1992 | Cameron V-77 | Mesquite, Texas, United States | Holmes, Larry A. | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Sep 1993 | Cameron V-77 | Truckee, California, United States | George F. Denny | No injuries | - |
| 21 May 1994 | Cameron V-77 | Durango, Colorado, United States | Donahower, Karen H. | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1989 | Mooney M20J | Jasper, Texas, United States | Stratton, William A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft V35B | Lampasas, Texas, United States | Phil P. O'neal | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 May 1989 | Piper PA-24-250 | Decatur, Texas, United States | Frazier, David R. | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 1989 | Beechcraft A36TC | Amarillo, Texas, United States | L.l.pownell | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1989 | Piper PA-32R | Stratford, Texas, United States | Sherman Implement Co. | No injuries | - |