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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 15, 1988 · Raven S-60A · N65523

Tampa, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tampa, FL
Aircraft
Raven S-60A
Tail Number
N65523
Operator
Orange Blossom Balloons
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA010

DRG AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT SAW SOME BUSHES & ANOTHER BALLOON (WHICH HAD ALREADY LANDED) IN HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA. HE APPLIED BURNER TO SOAR OVER THE OBSTACLES, THEN PULLED THE ENVELOPE VENT TO QUICKLY DESCEND AFTER THE OBSTACLES HAD BEEN CLEARED. HE RPRTD THAT WITH NO PAX ABOARD, THE REACTION TIME OF THE VENTING PROCESS TOOK LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED. THE BALLOON WAS LANDED NEXT TO POWER LINES, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENVELOPE BECAME DRAPED OVER THE LINES. A FIRE ERUPTED FROM CONTACT WITH THE LINES & HOLES WERE BURNED IN THE ENVELOPE. THE PLT STATED THE BALLOON WAS TOO BIG TO FLY IN WINDY CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A PLT ABOARD. HE BELIEVED THE ACDNT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY HAVING MORE WEIGHT ON BOARD IN THE FORM OF PAX OR BALLAST.

Full Narrative

DRG AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT SAW SOME BUSHES & ANOTHER BALLOON (WHICH HAD ALREADY LANDED) IN HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA. HE APPLIED BURNER TO SOAR OVER THE OBSTACLES, THEN PULLED THE ENVELOPE VENT TO QUICKLY DESCEND AFTER THE OBSTACLES HAD BEEN CLEARED. HE RPRTD THAT WITH NO PAX ABOARD, THE REACTION TIME OF THE VENTING PROCESS TOOK LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED. THE BALLOON WAS LANDED NEXT TO POWER LINES, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENVELOPE BECAME DRAPED OVER THE LINES. A FIRE ERUPTED FROM CONTACT WITH THE LINES & HOLES WERE BURNED IN THE ENVELOPE. THE PLT STATED THE BALLOON WAS TOO BIG TO FLY IN WINDY CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A PLT ABOARD. HE BELIEVED THE ACDNT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY HAVING MORE WEIGHT ON BOARD IN THE FORM OF PAX OR BALLAST.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven S-60A
Tail NumberN65523
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOrange Blossom Balloons
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 7 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 68 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data