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NTSB Report

July 18, 2004 · Lindstrand Balloons 90A · N6036F

Allen, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Allen, TX
Aircraft
Lindstrand Balloons 90A
Tail Number
N6036F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04CA234

A 190-hour balloon pilot carrying two first-time balloon passengers landed in an open field and realized that the grass there was very tall. To aid the recovery of his balloon, the pilot elected to reposition the balloon closer a road where the grass was shorter. While repositioning the balloon, the pilot noticed power lines located along the road. Subsequently, the pilot shut-off the fuel and pilot light on the burner and opened the deflation port to deflate the envelope. During the deflation process, a gust of wind blew the balloon along the ground at a 45-degree angle toward the power lines. The pilot and the two passengers exited the basket before the envelope collided with the power lines. After approximately 30 to 45 seconds, the envelope was blown off the power lines and on to the nearby road.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 2004, approximately 0740 central daylight time, a Lindstrand 90A hot-air balloon, N6036F, registered to the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines after landing near Allen, Texas. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a field near McKinney, Texas. In a written statement, the190-hour balloon pilot reported that he landed approximately 1/3 down the field and realized that the grass there was very tall. For the convenience his two first-time balloon passengers and to aid the recovery of his balloon, the pilot elected to reposition the balloon closer a road where the grass was shorter. While repositioning the balloon, the pilot then noticed power lines located along the road. Subsequently, the pilot shut-off the fuel and pilot light on the burner and opened the deflation port to deflate the envelope. During the deflation process, a gust of wind blew the balloon along the ground at a 45-degree angle toward the power lines. The pilot and the passengers exited the basket before the envelope collided with the power lines. After approximately 30 to 45 seconds, the envelope was blown off the power lines and on to the nearby road. Examination of the balloon by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed "several large burned-out" holes in the fabric of the envelope. Prior to the flight, the pilot obtained weather conditions from multiple sources and reported that at the time of the incident, the wind was from a northerly direction at 8 knots, the sky was clear, visibility was 10 statute miles, temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the barometric pressure was 29.98 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftLindstrand Balloons 90A
Tail NumberN6036F
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data