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NTSB Report
August 15, 1992 · Thunder And Colt Special Shape Special SH · GPATY
Tyler, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Tyler, TX
Aircraft
Thunder And Colt Special Shape Special SH
Tail Number
GPATY
Operator
Foster Coy Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW92LA209
THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH 69,000 VOLT POWER TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER TOWARD A DROP ZONE DURING AN ORGANIZED BALLOON RACE. THE BALLOON BASKET WAS ABOUT 20 TO 25 FEET OFF OF THE GROUND AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE WIRES ARCED THROUGH THE BASKET SUSPENSION LINES. ARC HOLES WERE FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND THE FUEL WAS IGNITED. THE BASKET FELL TO THE GROUND WHEN THE ENVELOPE WAS RELEASED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH 69,000 VOLT POWER TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER TOWARD A DROP ZONE DURING AN ORGANIZED BALLOON RACE. THE BALLOON BASKET WAS ABOUT 20 TO 25 FEET OFF OF THE GROUND AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE WIRES ARCED THROUGH THE BASKET SUSPENSION LINES. ARC HOLES WERE FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND THE FUEL WAS IGNITED. THE BASKET FELL TO THE GROUND WHEN THE ENVELOPE WAS RELEASED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftThunder And Colt Special Shape Special SH
Tail NumberGPATY
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFoster Coy Z
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:47
Weather SourceWFAC