Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 N5355M
13 June 1992 · Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 June 1992 at about 17:30 local time, a Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 registered N5355M, operated by David W. Schuetz, was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.2696, -106.6592
- Aircraft
- Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7
- Registration
- N5355M
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- David W. Schuetz
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW92DQA02
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE BALLOON FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF TWO OF THE FUEL TANKS WHICH RESULTED IN VENTED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL LINE BEING LEFT LOOSE AND A FUEL VALVE LOCKED OPEN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE BALLOON EXPERIENCED A FLASH FIRE DURING INFLATION PRIOR TO TETHERED FLIGHT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED TWO OF THE FOUR FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE OPERATION. IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE SECONDARY FUEL LINES WAS LOOSE AND LAYING UNCAPPED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET AND THE SECONDARY BLAST VALVE WAS FOUND LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION. A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, USING INERT GAS, REVEALED THAT WITH THE SECONDARY VALVE LOCKED OPEN, FUEL WOULD VENT OUT OF THE LOOSE LINE WHEN THE PRIMARY BLAST VALVE WAS ACTIVATED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Aug 1990 | Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 | Binghamton, New York, United States | William Maines | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 1988 | Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 | Wellsville, New York, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 1992 | Cessna 172N | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Thomas Kuehn | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jan 1992 | Beechcraft A36 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Loren Kula, ET al | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Mar 1992 | Bellanca 17-30A | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | TIM L. Alton | No injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1992 | Thorpe T-18 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Gordon Hall | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1992 | Raven S-60A | Pecos, New Mexico, United States | Bond, Wayne & Chapel, Sally P. | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Aug 1992 | Cessna 172F | Folsom, New Mexico, United States | Sheppard AFB Aero Club | No injuries | - |