Adams A60S accident near Austin, Texas, May 27, 1990
On May 27, 1990 at about 1:20 pm local time, a Adams A60S (balloon), registered N9811N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Austin, Texas. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND OBSTACLES WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 1990 · about 1:20 pm local time
- Place
- Austin, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Adams A60S
- Registration
- N9811N · registry record
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING INFLATED. AFTER INFLATION WAS COMPLETED, THE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAUNCH THE BALLOON THOUGH OBSTACLES & BUILDINGS WERE NEARBY. DRG THE LAUNCH, THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A FLAG POLE, A BUILDING & TREES. ONE PSGR WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE BUILDING. THE BALLOON REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, WHILE THE PLT WAS SELECTING A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.
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
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N9811N the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.