Sproul 72K-TET accident near Rio Rancho, NM
On October 10, 2008, a Sproul 72K-TET (balloon) was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, NM. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 10, 2008
- Place
- Rio Rancho, NM
- Aircraft
- Sproul 72K-TET · Balloon
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.316°N, 106.577°W
- NTSB ID
- 20081010X41204
Official records · CEN09LA009
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On October 10, 2008 at 0753 mountain daylight time, a Sproul 72K-TET, N72KX, piloted by a balloon-rated pilot, was destroyed when it struck power lines and impacted terrain in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured, and the owner/pilot was seriously injured. The local flight originated in Albuquerque approximately 0700. The pilot and the owner/pilot were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. The owner/pilot's injuries precluded him from submitting an accident report until March 5, 2009. According to his report, he had no memory of the accident. In a telephone interview, he said he allowed the pilot to fly the balloon so he could acquire more experience in flying this type of experimental balloon. He indicated that the pilot had flown the balloon on four different occasions, including the accident flight, and had acquired 4 hours of flight time. One witness to the preflight procedures and the accident stated that the owner/pilot indicated that the pilot would be acting as pilot-in-command for this flight. Several witnesses observed the pilot inflating the balloon before the flight and operating the burners during the flight. One witness also indicated that the pilot was registered at the event as a pilot on this balloon. Twelve witness statements were collected by various law enforcement agencies. One witness stated the balloon was traveling northeast betwe
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines and the failure of either pilot to take any corrective action to avoid the collision.
More accidents in NM
- Gates Learjet 25D, Sep 5, 1993
- Piper PA-32-300, Dec 26, 1982
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Browse: New Mexico
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
