Avian Balloon SKYHAWK N71AV

Summary

On 23 October 2002 at about 21:00 local time, a Avian Balloon SKYHAWK registered N71AV was involved in an accident near Cottageville, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 October 2002 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cottageville, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

38.8667, -81.8142

Aircraft

Avian Balloon SKYHAWK

Registration

N71AV

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cottageville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA013

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's improper decision not to over fly the landing area, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the balloon was positioned to land at a "selected-predicted" field, the pilot observed power lines in the decent path, and the elected to abort the landing. The pilot fired the main burner, and realized that the balloon would not climb above the power lines. Unable to deflate the balloon or stop the forward momentum, he ordered the passenger to jump from the basket. The pilot secured the fuel system and jumped to the ground. The balloon then struck and slid down the power lines, before descending to the ground. The landing field was about 600 feet in length, with a tree line at the approach end. About 120 feet beyond the tree line, were utility power lines and an electric fence. No obstacles were observed beyond the power lines for the remainder of the field along the balloons flight path. According to the Balloon Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-11), "It is usually better to fly over an obstacle and land beyond it than to land in front of it. Over fly powerlines, trees, and water, among other obstacles, on the way to the landing, rather than attempting to land in front of them and risk being dragged into them."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.