Cameron N-90 and Aerostar RX 8 mid-air collision near Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 10, 1997
On October 10, 1997 at about 2:40 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cameron N-90 (N1602R) and Aerostar RX 8 (N71415), were involved in a mid-air collision near Albuquerque, New Mexico (Albuquerque Balloon Park airport). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot of the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, to follow procedures/directives.
The failure of the pilot of the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, to follow procedures/directives.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 10, 1997 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · Albuquerque Balloon Park · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cameron N-90
- Registration
- N1602R · no longer on the register · serial 5921
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Aerostar RX 8
- Registration
- N71415 · registry record · serial RX8-3237
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cameron N-90 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to witnesses, the Cameron N90, N1602R, was descending at an altitude of approximately 250 feet to 300 feet agl. Another witness stated that N71415 was 'moving towards N1602R and was clearly descending rapidly while burning to arrest the decent.' The pilot of N1602R reported that he was descending when the 'top of my balloon was hit from above by the bottom of the basket of another balloon.' The pilot of N71415 reported seeing N1602R 'approaching below me at a slightly quicker ground speed; then N1602R began to ascend and I began to fire both of my burners.' FAR 91.113(b) states that 'vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.' Several balloon instructors stated that the balloon community teaches that the lower balloon has the right-of-way. Postaccident examination of photographs taken during the collision sequence reveal that after separating, N71415 rose approximately 275 feet, while N1602R maintained its position relative to the balloons around him.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Aerostar RX 8 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two balloons were participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. According to witnesses, the Cameron N-90, N1602R, was descending at an altitude of approximately 250 feet to 300 feet agl. Another witness stated that the Aerostar RX 8, N71415, was 'moving towards the Cameron and was clearly descending rapidly while burning to arrest the decent.' The pilot of the Cameron reported that he was descending when the 'top of my balloon was hit from above by the bottom of the basket of another balloon.' The pilot of the Aerostar reported seeing the Cameron 'approaching below me at a slightly quicker ground speed; then N1602R began to ascend and I began to fire both of my burners.' FAR 91.113(b) states that 'vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.' Several balloon instructors stated that the balloon community teaches that the lower balloon has the right-of-way. Postaccident examination of photographs taken during the collision sequence reveal that after separating, the Aerostar rose approximately 275 feet, while the Cameron maintained its position relative to the balloons around him.
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 for the Cameron N-90 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 200 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 15, 1997; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the Aerostar RX 8 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 186 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Sandia Pueblo NM at 2:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW98LA009.