Cameron V-77 accident near Tornillo, Texas, November 5, 1989
On November 5, 1989 at about 4:31 pm local time, a Cameron V-77 (balloon), registered N1998Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tornillo, Texas. It was a personal 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
MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITOR SYSTEM, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE EMERGENCY BURNER RELIGHT PROCEDURES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 1989 · about 4:31 pm local time
- Place
- Tornillo, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron V-77
- Registration
- N1998Y · no longer on the register · serial 5341
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE BALLOON SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER THE COLLISION, A FIRE ERUPTED, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. IN THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ATTEMPTING TO USE ANY OF THE REQUIRED BACKUP IGNITION SOURCES.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 397 hours in all; 397 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 380 as pilot in command; 60 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 800 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Fabens TX at 2:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.