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NTSB Report
May 28, 1983 · Barnes AX-6B · N2023H
Decatur, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Decatur, AL
Aircraft
Barnes AX-6B
Tail Number
N2023H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83LA209
THE BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED FROM A FIELD WITH POWER LINES ALONG THE EAST SIDE AFTER ANOTHER BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED. THE FIRST BALLOON WAS APRX 50 FT FROM THE POWER LINE WHEN IT WAS LAUNCHED. WHEN IT TOOKOFF, IT TRAVELED TO THE NORTH NORTHWEST & REMAINED WELL CLEAR OF THE POWER LINES. THE SECOND BALLOON, N2023H, LIFTED OFF APRX 35 FT FROM THE POWER LINES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, N2023H CLIMBED TOWARDS THE POWER LINES & CONTACTED THE TOP TWO WIRES. ELECTRICAL ARCING OCCURRED WHICH DAMAGED THE GONDOLA. THE PLT WAS BURNED ON HIS RIGHT SIDE, RIGHT ARM & RIGHT SIDE OF HIS FACE, AND WAS INCAPACITATED. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED ONLY MINOR BURNS TO HIS HANDS & WAS ABLE TO LAND THE BALLOON WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. LATER, THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED FROM A FIELD WITH POWER LINES ALONG THE EAST SIDE AFTER ANOTHER BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED. THE FIRST BALLOON WAS APRX 50 FT FROM THE POWER LINE WHEN IT WAS LAUNCHED. WHEN IT TOOKOFF, IT TRAVELED TO THE NORTH NORTHWEST & REMAINED WELL CLEAR OF THE POWER LINES. THE SECOND BALLOON, N2023H, LIFTED OFF APRX 35 FT FROM THE POWER LINES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, N2023H CLIMBED TOWARDS THE POWER LINES & CONTACTED THE TOP TWO WIRES. ELECTRICAL ARCING OCCURRED WHICH DAMAGED THE GONDOLA. THE PLT WAS BURNED ON HIS RIGHT SIDE, RIGHT ARM & RIGHT SIDE OF HIS FACE, AND WAS INCAPACITATED. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED ONLY MINOR BURNS TO HIS HANDS & WAS ABLE TO LAND THE BALLOON WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. LATER, THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBarnes AX-6B
Tail NumberN2023H
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
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 51 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO