ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 264632
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| Date: | Saturday 26 June 2021 |
| Time: | 06:07 LT |
| Type: |  Cameron O-120 |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N158NM |
| MSN: | 6692 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2013 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 286 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Albuquerque, NM -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | ABQ, NM |
| Albuquerque, NM | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was conducting a sightseeing flight, with four passengers on board the balloon. Near the conclusion of the flight, the pilot maneuvered the balloon to land in an open field across a major intersection. Power lines were orientated nearly perpendicular to the balloon's flight path to the field. The power lines were hung between metal poles that were about 78 ft high.
A review of surveillance video from a local business revealed that the balloon began a climb before the intersection, with the power lines across the road. Video then depicted the balloon descending into the power lines as it crossed about perpendicular to the wires. Shortly thereafter, the balloon contacted a high-tension power line, an arc appeared, and the basket separated from the envelope and subsequently impacted the road.
A postaccident examination of the balloon revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Postmortem toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot was consistent with the recent use of cannabis (THC) and cocaine. The pilot's cavity blood THC concentration was detected at 5.5 ng/mL, suggesting that usage was within the last few hours. Some impairing effects of THC would likely have been present that would have affected the pilot's ability to successfully operate the balloon. Cocaine was detected in blood and urine at levels that suggested recent use. At the time of the accident, the impairing effects of the pilot's use of THC and cocaine likely contributed to the accident.
Probable Cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of impairing, illicit drugs.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB WPR21FA242
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=158nm
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Jun-2021 16:46 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 26-Jun-2021 19:28 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Embed code] |
| 26-Jun-2021 21:11 | Captain Adam | Updated [Aircraft type, Total fatalities, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 26-Jun-2021 22:10 | RobertMB | Updated [Time, Nature, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 27-Jun-2021 02:18 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 28-Jun-2021 15:22 | Captain Adam | Updated [Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 28-Jun-2021 16:58 | Anon. | Updated [Source] |
| 28-Jun-2021 18:27 | Anon. | Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 19-Aug-2023 08:31 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [[Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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