Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, June 13, 1992
On June 13, 1992 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7 (balloon), registered N5355M, suffered minor damage in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE BALLOON FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF TWO OF THE FUEL TANKS WHICH RESULTED IN VENTED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL LINE BEING LEFT LOOSE AND A FUEL VALVE LOCKED OPEN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 1992 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7
- Registration
- N5355M · no longer on the register · serial 027
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE BALLOON EXPERIENCED A FLASH FIRE DURING INFLATION PRIOR TO TETHERED FLIGHT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED TWO OF THE FOUR FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE OPERATION. IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE SECONDARY FUEL LINES WAS LOOSE AND LAYING UNCAPPED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET AND THE SECONDARY BLAST VALVE WAS FOUND LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION. A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, USING INERT GAS, REVEALED THAT WITH THE SECONDARY VALVE LOCKED OPEN, FUEL WOULD VENT OUT OF THE LOOSE LINE WHEN THE PRIMARY BLAST VALVE WAS ACTIVATED.
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, private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 157 hours in all; 157 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 120 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 286 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 2, 1992; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.