ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 296180
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| Date: | Saturday 22 February 2003 |
| Time: | 08:00 LT |
| Type: |  Aerostar RX-7 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N6413N |
| MSN: | RX7-3039 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 355 hours |
| Engine model: | Aero Engines HP25-3029 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Reno, Nevada -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Reno, NV |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The balloon collided with power lines while descending toward a landing spot. The pilot was crossing a north-south ridgeline while approaching a landing spot in a meadow. The balloon flew over the descending slope and cleared a set of power lines that ran parallel to the ridgeline. A sudden wind shift occurred, blowing the balloon back towards the power lines. The pilot turned on the burner in an attempt to clear the power lines again, however, sufficient lift was not achieved. Realizing that a collision was inevitable, the burner and tanks were shut off and instruments disconnected. After the initial impact the balloon continued rising, and the pilot pulled the 'rip-cord' attached to the deflation port. A rapid decent followed, and the balloon came to rest directly under the power lines.
Probable Cause: A sudden wind shift that forced the balloon to drift towards an obstruction, and the pilot's inability to perform an evasive maneuver in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX03LA095
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 13-Oct-2022 17:30 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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