Ballonbau Wörner Gmbh NL-STU/1000 accident near Crandall, Texas, October 10, 2023
On October 10, 2023, a 2020 Ballonbau Wörner Gmbh NL-STU/1000 (balloon), registered DOGBL, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Crandall, Texas. It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot-in-command’s inadequate descent planning that resulted in the balloon contacting power lines shortly after landing and an explosion of hydrogen gas.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 10, 2023
- Place
- Crandall, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ballonbau Wörner Gmbh NL-STU/1000, built 2020
- Registration
- DOGBL · no longer on the register · serial 1110
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots were competing in a multi-day, cross-country balloon race. The pilot-in-command stated that they were in a planned descent when they heard gunfire on the ground and ahead of their hydrogen balloon. When interviewed, the pilot-in-command stated that that he never heard any bullets passing by or impacting the balloon, nor did he observe any tracer rounds associated with the gunfire. The flight crew decided to continue the descent and land due to their concerns of flying the balloon at night, at a low altitude, with gunfire activity at the surface. As the balloon descended toward a lighted power substation, the flight crew attempted to jettison ballast to slow the balloon’s decent and clear power lines; however, about 50-100 ft above the ground, the pilot-in-command determined that the balloon would not clear the power lines and he fully opened the balloon’s gas vent to rapidly release the hydrogen and descend rapidly to the surface. The balloon’s basket impacted the ground before the envelope blew into the power lines creating a spark and an explosion of the remaining hydrogen gas. The balloon was destroyed during the hydrogen explosion and postaccident ground fire. Both flight crew members sustained serious injuries during the ground impact, explosion, and ground fire. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
- Explosion (post-impact) during post (impact)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,994 hours in all; 1,144 in this make and model; 91 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,994 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 4, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 952 hours in all; 130 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 101 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,557 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Global Ballooning Sl D.O.O.
The flight
- Departed from: ABQ Albuquerque NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from HQZ, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHQZ 100050Z 16005KT 10SM CLR 23/12 A2984
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 28, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Record of Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Record of Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Recorded Flight Track | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Video | MOV file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.