NTSB Factual Report

On October 13, 2001, at 0810 mountain daylight time, a Thunder and Colt AX8-90 balloon, N407TC, struck vehicles and poles during landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured, and the balloon sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area. A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight which departed the Balloon Fiesta Park approximately 0800.

The pilot reported that during the landing in gusty wind conditions, the balloon struck a motor home, skidded along the ground, and struck a minivan. Subsequently, the envelope caught 2 light poles, bending the poles approximately 45 degrees, before the basket came to rest against a sport utility van located in the parking lot. The plastic top of the motor home was damaged, the right tail light was broken on the minivan, and the door was dented on the sport utility vehicle. The envelope received multiple tears, and the basket received light scrapes.

At 0756, the Albuquerque weather observation facility reported the wind from 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 7 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit), and dew point -13 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit). The altimeter setting was 30.01 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the obstacles during landing. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.