General Balloon AX-6 accident near Temecula, California, May 17, 1986
On May 17, 1986 at about 3:45 pm local time, a General Balloon AX-6, registered N2490Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Temecula, California (Rancho California airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1986 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Temecula, California · Rancho California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- General Balloon AX-6
- Registration
- N2490Z · no longer on the register · serial 480
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE BALLOON WAS GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN A 'HARE AND HOUND' EVENT AND HAD DEPARTED A FESTIVAL STAGING AREA ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AREA THE BALLOON HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE POSITIONING AREA THE BALLOON HAD EXHAUSTED ITS LIQUID PROPANE SUPPLY. ONE OCCUPANT IN THE BALLOON WAS ATTEMPTING TO THROW A ROPE TO GROUND WITNESSES BUT DURING THE DESCENT THE BASKET CONTACTED SOME 31 FT AGL HIGH TENSION WIRES. ALL 12 CABLES AND THE HEATER CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE BURNING/ARCING SIGNATURES AND ALL OF THE 1/4 IN STAINLESS STEEL CABLES WERE BURNED THROUGH & SEPARATED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ATTACH POINTS.
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: 126 hours in all; 126 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 110 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 7, 1986; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,210 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Unknown UNK (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Temecula CA at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.