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NTSB Report
February 14, 1989 · Balloon Works AX8-24 · N7127J
Telluride, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Telluride, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works AX8-24
Tail Number
N7127J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA077
THE COMMERCIAL PLT AND TWO FRIENDS WERE FLYING HIS BALLOON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, THE PLT OPENED THE BURNER VALVE TO FLARE. THE VALVE STUCK OPEN AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF FUEL AT THE PROPANE BOTTLE. THAT VALVE STUCK OPEN ALSO, AND THE BALLOON STARTED TO RISE. THE PLT REDUCED THE HEAT ENTERING THE ENVELOPE BY PULLING THE BURNER OUT OF THE THROAT AND POINTING IT OVERBOARD. THIS BALLOON WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN EMERGENCY 'BACK UP' BURNER SYSTEM. BY USING THE BACK UP BURNER, THE PLT MANEUVERED AND LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER LANDING, HE WAS ABLE TO WORK THE STUCK VALVES UNTIL THEY CLOSED AND THE FUEL FLOW CEASED. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS EXISTED CONDUCIVE TO ICE FORMING IN BOTH VALVES AND PREVENTING NORMAL OPERATION.
NTSB Probable Cause
ICE FORMING IN THE FUEL TANK SHUT OFF VALVE, AND THE BURNER BLAST VALVE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PLT AND TWO FRIENDS WERE FLYING HIS BALLOON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, THE PLT OPENED THE BURNER VALVE TO FLARE. THE VALVE STUCK OPEN AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF FUEL AT THE PROPANE BOTTLE. THAT VALVE STUCK OPEN ALSO, AND THE BALLOON STARTED TO RISE. THE PLT REDUCED THE HEAT ENTERING THE ENVELOPE BY PULLING THE BURNER OUT OF THE THROAT AND POINTING IT OVERBOARD. THIS BALLOON WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN EMERGENCY 'BACK UP' BURNER SYSTEM. BY USING THE BACK UP BURNER, THE PLT MANEUVERED AND LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER LANDING, HE WAS ABLE TO WORK THE STUCK VALVES UNTIL THEY CLOSED AND THE FUEL FLOW CEASED. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS EXISTED CONDUCIVE TO ICE FORMING IN BOTH VALVES AND PREVENTING NORMAL OPERATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works AX8-24
Tail NumberN7127J
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO