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NTSB Report
March 21, 1987 · Raven S-77A · N40968
Park City, UT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
9 injuries (1 fatality, 8 serious injuries)
Location
Park City, UT
Aircraft
Raven S-77A
Tail Number
N40968
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87FA069
WHILE ON A COMMERCIAL PAX SIGHTSEEING FLT, THE PLT ALLOWED A NON-RATED STUDENT PLT TO FLY THE BALLOON UNTIL IT NEARLY COLLIDED WITH BUILDINGS. THE PLT TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND APPLIED MAXIMUM BURNER HEATING TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE BUILDINGS, WHICH RESULTED IN RAPID ASCENT TO APPROXIMATELY 3,000 FEET AGL. WINDS AT THAT ALTITUDE BLEW THE BALLOON OUT OF THE SMALL OPEN VALLEY WHERE THE FLTS WERE NORMALLY CONDUCTED. IT CROSSED A RIDGELINE AND WAS FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN WHERE THE PLT INITIATED A DESCENT FOR LANDING. THE BALLOON IMPACTED TRANSMISSION POWER LINES AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE GONDOLA WAS SEVERED FROM THE BALLOON BY ELECTRICAL ARCING AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS EXPLODED AND BURNED, DESTROYING THE GONDOLA.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A COMMERCIAL PAX SIGHTSEEING FLT, THE PLT ALLOWED A NON-RATED STUDENT PLT TO FLY THE BALLOON UNTIL IT NEARLY COLLIDED WITH BUILDINGS. THE PLT TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND APPLIED MAXIMUM BURNER HEATING TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE BUILDINGS, WHICH RESULTED IN RAPID ASCENT TO APPROXIMATELY 3,000 FEET AGL. WINDS AT THAT ALTITUDE BLEW THE BALLOON OUT OF THE SMALL OPEN VALLEY WHERE THE FLTS WERE NORMALLY CONDUCTED. IT CROSSED A RIDGELINE AND WAS FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN WHERE THE PLT INITIATED A DESCENT FOR LANDING. THE BALLOON IMPACTED TRANSMISSION POWER LINES AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE GONDOLA WAS SEVERED FROM THE BALLOON BY ELECTRICAL ARCING AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS EXPLODED AND BURNED, DESTROYING THE GONDOLA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftRaven S-77A
Tail NumberN40968
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary9 injuries (1 fatality, 8 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious8
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total9
Crew 1Age 28 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 14 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC