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NTSB Report
September 1, 1984 · Head Balloons AX7-77 · N2484S
Austell, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Austell, GA
Aircraft
Head Balloons AX7-77
Tail Number
N2484S
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84LA278
WHILE FLYING AT A LOW ALT LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE LANDING AREA THE PLT NOTICED POWER LINES AT A HIGHER ALT. PLT INITIALLYAPPLIED HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE TO TRY AND CLIMB ABOVE THE WIRES, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REALIZE THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES. PLT THEN ADVISED PAX SHE WOULD HAVE TO 'DUMP IT' AND BEGAN TO PULL THE CORD TO OPEN THE ENVELOPE DEFLATION VALVE IN ORDER TO LAND SHORT OF THE WIRES. ONE OF THE PAX, WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM THE PLT, REPORTEDLY USED THE BURNER TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE BASKET UPRIGHTS AND THE CABLES IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE BASKET CONTACTED THE WIRES AT AN ALT OF APRX 40 FT AGL.
Full Narrative
WHILE FLYING AT A LOW ALT LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE LANDING AREA THE PLT NOTICED POWER LINES AT A HIGHER ALT. PLT INITIALLYAPPLIED HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE TO TRY AND CLIMB ABOVE THE WIRES, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REALIZE THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES. PLT THEN ADVISED PAX SHE WOULD HAVE TO 'DUMP IT' AND BEGAN TO PULL THE CORD TO OPEN THE ENVELOPE DEFLATION VALVE IN ORDER TO LAND SHORT OF THE WIRES. ONE OF THE PAX, WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM THE PLT, REPORTEDLY USED THE BURNER TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE BASKET UPRIGHTS AND THE CABLES IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE BASKET CONTACTED THE WIRES AT AN ALT OF APRX 40 FT AGL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftHead Balloons AX7-77
Tail NumberN2484S
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind105° @ 3 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO