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July 3, 2007 · Cameron Balloons Z-77 · N4021M

Battle Creek, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Battle Creek, MI
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons Z-77
Tail Number
N4021M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07CA189

The balloon caught fire after landing during the Battle Creek Field of Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival. The pilot stated that after approximately one hour in the air, the balloon landed safely in a yard. When the pilot looked up inside the top of the balloon envelope, the "parachute top did not reseat." He attempted to reseat the top by using a "blast of heat" from the burners but it did not work. The pilot "knew the balloon would quickly sink down on top of the basket" so he turned the burners to their horizontal position and prepared to push the envelope fabric away. When the balloon envelope began to descend towards the ground the pilot reported that "we suddenly had a fire in the basket." Both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the basket. The pilot "determined the fire was coming from the burners" so he returned to the basket and turned off the fuel tanks. The fire was subsequently extinguished by the passenger and bystanders. An examination of the balloon after the accident revealed the fuel valve for the whisper burners was in the "on" position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The whisper burner's fuel valve opening for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a fire after landing. A factor in the accident was the balloon envelope's parachute top not reseating.

Full Narrative

The balloon was substantially damaged after it landed and caught fire during the Battle Creek Field of Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival. The pilot stated that after approximately one hour in the air, the balloon landed safely in a yard. When the pilot looked up inside the top of the balloon envelope, the "parachute top did not reseat." He attempted to reseat the top by using a "blast of heat" from the burners but it did not work. The pilot "knew the balloon would quickly sink down on top of the basket" so he turned the burners to their horizontal position and prepared to push the envelope fabric away. When the balloon envelope began to descend towards the ground the pilot reported that "we suddenly had a fire in the basket." Both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the basket. The pilot "determined the fire was coming from the burners" so he returned to the basket and turned off the fuel tanks. The fire was subsequently extinguished by the passenger and bystanders. An examination of the balloon after the accident revealed the fuel valve for the whisper burners was in the "on" position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons Z-77
Tail NumberN4021M
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data