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September 21, 2008 · Cameron Balloons Us N-77 · N4003P

Plano, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Plano, TX
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons Us N-77
Tail Number
N4003P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN08LA158

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, the pilot was participating in a hot-air balloon competition. The pilot called her ground crew while en route and reported that all three propane tanks were empty. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a parking lot and bounced three times before the balloon came to rest. She stated that the balloon's propane tanks had been filled the night prior to the accident flight and contained 30 gallons of fuel. The burner and fuel system consisted of three fuel tanks designated "master," "slave one," and "slave two." She advised that she flew on slave one until it was exhausted. She verified that the master tank contained fuel, then flew on slave two until it contained approximately 15 percent fuel remaining. Upon switching back to the master tank she noted that for an unknown reason, it too now contained approximately 15 per cent fuel remaining. She began looking for a suitable place for a forced landing. The basket sustained minor damage and the balloon envelope was not damaged. The pilot sustained a broken leg. An examination of the balloon systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Attain/maintain not possible - F

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2008, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a Cameron Balloons US N-77, N4003P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained minor damaged during a forced landing in Plano, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries and her passenger was not injured. The local flight departed Plano East Senior High School approximately 0800 and was en route to Clark Stadium. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, the pilot was participating in a hot-air balloon competition. The pilot called her ground crew while en route and reported that all three propane tanks were empty. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a parking lot and bounced three times before the balloon came to rest. The basket sustained minor damage and the balloon envelope was not damaged. The pilot sustained a broken leg. During a telephone interview with the pilot on October 24th, she stated that the balloon's propane tanks had been filled the night prior to the accident flight and contained 30 gallons of fuel. The burner and fuel system consisted of three fuel tanks designated "master", "slave one", and "slave two." She advised that she flew on slave one until it was exhausted. She verified that the master tank contained fuel, then flew on slave two until it contained approximately 15 percent fuel remaining. Upon switching back to the master tank she noted that for an unknown reason, it too now contained approximately 15 per cent fuel remaining. She began looking for a suitable place for a forced landing. An examination of the fuel system revealed no anomalies. A porosity test on the balloon envelope was not performed. Multiple attempts to obtain a National Transportation Safety Board form 6120.1 with additional accident details from the pilot were unsuccessful. Several attempts to obtain maintenance records to verify Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive compliance pertaining to fuel system and burner modifications from the pilot were also unsuccessful.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCameron Balloons Us N-77
Tail NumberN4003P
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data