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NTSB Report
September 14, 1986 · Balloon Works FF-7 · N7423H
Roanoke, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Roanoke, VA
Aircraft
Balloon Works FF-7
Tail Number
N7423H
Operator
Richard M Davis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
BFO86LA046
THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS INVOLVED IN AN AIR SHOW FLIGHT EVENT. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE AIRPORT THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WINDS THAT FORCED HIM TO LAND SHORT OF THE ARPT. DURING THE LNDG APCH HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY SPECTATORS ON THE GROUND WHO WERE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND AS A RESULT DID NOT SEE POWER LINES IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE COLLISION OCCURRED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES AND THE BALLOON SUSPENSION CABLES. THE CABLES WERE SEVERED AND THE BASKET SEPARATED FROM THE BALLOON AND THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND FROM A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 20 FEET.
Full Narrative
THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS INVOLVED IN AN AIR SHOW FLIGHT EVENT. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE AIRPORT THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WINDS THAT FORCED HIM TO LAND SHORT OF THE ARPT. DURING THE LNDG APCH HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY SPECTATORS ON THE GROUND WHO WERE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND AS A RESULT DID NOT SEE POWER LINES IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE COLLISION OCCURRED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES AND THE BALLOON SUSPENSION CABLES. THE CABLES WERE SEVERED AND THE BASKET SEPARATED FROM THE BALLOON AND THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND FROM A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 20 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 EDT
Nearest AirportRoanoke Regal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works FF-7
Tail NumberN7423H
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorRichard M Davis
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · T3-017 · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC