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NTSB Report
April 16, 1989 · Head Balloons AX8-88 · N4510H
Troy, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Troy, TX
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX8-88
Tail Number
N4510H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW89FA081
THE PLTS TOOK OFF ON A CHECK FLT IN A 10 TO 12 MPH WIND WITH GUSTS TO 15 MPH. A WX FORECAST INDICATED THERE WOULD BE HIGHER WINDS AS THE MORNING PROGRESSED. DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A NORMAL APCH ANGLE. HE OVER VENTED, THEN OVER BURNED TO COMPENSATE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GONDOLA COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE PIC WAS EJECTED. BOTH OF THE PILOT LIGHTS FOR THE BURNER WENT OUT. THE CHECK PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ROSE TO 300 FEET. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN IN A THERMAL DESCENT OF 1200 TO 1400 FT/MIN. THE PIC RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES & THE CHECK PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TREE DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH WIND & TREE(S).
Full Narrative
THE PLTS TOOK OFF ON A CHECK FLT IN A 10 TO 12 MPH WIND WITH GUSTS TO 15 MPH. A WX FORECAST INDICATED THERE WOULD BE HIGHER WINDS AS THE MORNING PROGRESSED. DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A NORMAL APCH ANGLE. HE OVER VENTED, THEN OVER BURNED TO COMPENSATE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GONDOLA COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE PIC WAS EJECTED. BOTH OF THE PILOT LIGHTS FOR THE BURNER WENT OUT. THE CHECK PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ROSE TO 300 FEET. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN IN A THERMAL DESCENT OF 1200 TO 1400 FT/MIN. THE PIC RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES & THE CHECK PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHead Balloons AX8-88
Tail NumberN4510H
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 15 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC