Cameron V-77 accident near Mesquite, Texas, August 9, 1992
On August 9, 1992, a Cameron V-77 (balloon), registered N9544G, was destroyed in an accident near Mesquite, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM KNOWN OBSTACLES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 1992
- Place
- Mesquite, Texas
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron V-77
- Registration
- N9544G · no longer on the register · serial 5568
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE BALLOON CONTACTED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE BALLOON BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER LINES CAUSING ARCING TO TAKE PLACE IN AND AROUND THE BASKET AREA. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXTRICATE THE BALLOON FROM THE WIRES THE BASKET SEPARATED FROM THE BALLOON AND FELL 65 FEET TO A PAVED AREA.
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: 160 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 19, 1988
- Seats: 4
- 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 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°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.