ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 43106
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can
submit corrected information.
Date: | Saturday 9 December 1995 |
Time: | 17:03 LT |
Type: | Balloon Works Firefly 7-15 |
Owner/operator: | John G. Curtis |
Registration: | N25756 |
MSN: | F7-843 |
Total airframe hrs: | 69 hours |
Engine model: | Lycoming%20IO-540-C4B5 |
Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
Category: | Accident |
Location: | Oklahoma City, OK -
United States of America
|
Phase: | En route |
Nature: | Private |
Departure airport: | |
Destination airport: | |
Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:Witnesses observed the balloon drift across an interstate highway in level flight and impact a high voltage (138kV) power line. As the balloon's basket came into contact with the current carrying wires, 'a blinding blue-white flash of electricity' was followed by an explosion. The basket and envelope caught fire, and the balloon then ascended to 100 to 150 feet AGL before the suspension ropes burned through and the basket separated from the envelope. Examination revealed that one of the balloon's three propane tanks was ruptured and a dime-sized hole opposite the ruptured section appeared to be the result of arcing. Evidence of arcing was also noted on the skirt ring and the burner shield. Functional testing and disassembly of the burner revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies. Toxicological testing detected small amounts of fenfluramine and phentermine in the pilot's blood and liver fluid. Neither of these medications is approved by the FAA for use while flying.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low altitude straight and level flight.
Accident investigation:
|
| |
Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Report number: | FTW96FA063 |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 year 1 month |
Download report: | Final report |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW96FA063
Location
Revision history:
Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
24-Oct-2008 10:30 |
ASN archive |
Added |
21-Dec-2016 19:24 |
ASN Update Bot |
Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
09-Apr-2024 10:39 |
ASN Update Bot |
Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Source, Narrative, Plane category, Category, Accident report] |
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation