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October 4, 2004 · Thunder And Colt AA-1050 · G-BSRJ

Crescent, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Crescent, OK
Aircraft
Thunder And Colt AA-1050
Tail Number
G-BSRJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW05CA002

The 4,408-hour lighter-than-air pilot reported that upon landing in an open field during dark night visual conditions, the envelope of the hot air balloon struck a set of power lines. The pilot stated that during the approach to landing, his pilot rated observer used night vision goggles to examine the landing area for objects and did not see the power lines. The pilot added that the prior to landing, the wind changed direction from 080 degrees to 165 degrees and increased to approximately 13 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high power transmission lines. Contributing factor was the dark night and high wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 2004, approximately 0530 central daylight time, a Thunder and Colt AA-1050 Gas Balloon, United Kingdom registration G-BSRJ, was destroyed upon collision with power lines while landing near Crescent, Oklahoma. The balloon was registered to Trezpark LTD., of Boulder, Colorado, and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated observer were not injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air race competition flight. The cross-country flight originated from a staging area near Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 1910 mountain daylight time on October 3, 2004. The 4,408-hour lighter-than-air pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was competing in a long distance competition held at the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. During the flight, the pilot obtained a weather briefing using a satellite telephone. After being informed of "convective activity to the west and south," he elected to land as soon as possible. The pilot stated that as he controlled the balloon for landing to a field, his observer examined landing area using night vision goggles, but did not see the power lines in the field. As the balloon settled onto the ground, the envelope struck the power lines. Subsequently, the pilot and observer exited the basket and observed sparks and fire initiating from the power lines. Approximately 30 minutes later, a ground fire ensued and consumed the entire envelope and basket. The pilot also reported that the wind changed direction from 080 degrees to 165 degrees and increased to approximately 13 knots prior to landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThunder And Colt AA-1050
Tail NumberG-BSRJ
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · None · None
Crew 2Age 59 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind164° @ 13 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.36 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data