Balloon Works AX9 N90240
7 October 1990 · Cedar Crest, New Mexico, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 7 October 1990 at about 01:05 local time, a Balloon Works AX9 registered N90240 was involved in an accident near Cedar Crest, New Mexico, United States. 5 people were on board and 5 had minor injuries. 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 01:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Cedar Crest, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.1199, -106.4105
- Aircraft
- Balloon Works AX9
- Registration
- N90240
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Albuquerque → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN91LA007
People
5 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Probable cause
PILOT'S DELAYED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND THE SUBSEUQENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR WAS THE ENCOUNTER WITH HIGH WINDS IN FLIGHT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A BALLOON FLIGHT OVER THE CITY RESULTED IN THE BALLOON BEING CARRIED OVER THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WORSE WINDS AFTER CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS, AND ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE 090 DEGREES AT 24, GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A HIGH WIND LANDING AND STRUCK SEVERAL TREES. THE ENVELOPE, GONDOLA, AND SUSPENSION LINES WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PILOT FAILED TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL THE FAA CONTACTED HIM. THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BALLOON HAD NO FUEL LEFT TO CLIMB OR MANEUVER, MAKING THE HIGH WIND LANDING THE ONLY OPTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 1990 | Cessna 172RG | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Coronado Air Center | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1990 | Hughes 369HS | Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | Charles Bella | Serious injuries | - |
| 8 Jun 1990 | Cessna 150J | Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | West Mesa Flying Assoc. Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1990 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Truth/Consequen, New Mexico, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Jun 1990 | Buchanan S1-S | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jul 1990 | Stinson 108 | Clovis, New Mexico, United States | Young, Richard G. | No injuries | - |