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NTSB Report
May 17, 1986 · General Balloon AX-6 · N2490Z
Temecula, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Temecula, CA
Aircraft
General Balloon AX-6
Tail Number
N2490Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86FA223
THE BALLOON WAS GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN A 'HARE AND HOUND' EVENT AND HAD DEPARTED A FESTIVAL STAGING AREA ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AREA THE BALLOON HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE POSITIONING AREA THE BALLOON HAD EXHAUSTED ITS LIQUID PROPANE SUPPLY. ONE OCCUPANT IN THE BALLOON WAS ATTEMPTING TO THROW A ROPE TO GROUND WITNESSES BUT DURING THE DESCENT THE BASKET CONTACTED SOME 31 FT AGL HIGH TENSION WIRES. ALL 12 CABLES AND THE HEATER CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE BURNING/ARCING SIGNATURES AND ALL OF THE 1/4 IN STAINLESS STEEL CABLES WERE BURNED THROUGH & SEPARATED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ATTACH POINTS.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON WAS GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN A 'HARE AND HOUND' EVENT AND HAD DEPARTED A FESTIVAL STAGING AREA ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AREA THE BALLOON HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE POSITIONING AREA THE BALLOON HAD EXHAUSTED ITS LIQUID PROPANE SUPPLY. ONE OCCUPANT IN THE BALLOON WAS ATTEMPTING TO THROW A ROPE TO GROUND WITNESSES BUT DURING THE DESCENT THE BASKET CONTACTED SOME 31 FT AGL HIGH TENSION WIRES. ALL 12 CABLES AND THE HEATER CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE BURNING/ARCING SIGNATURES AND ALL OF THE 1/4 IN STAINLESS STEEL CABLES WERE BURNED THROUGH & SEPARATED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ATTACH POINTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 PDT
Nearest AirportRancho California (2nm ESE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGeneral Balloon AX-6
Tail NumberN2490Z
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNK · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT