Lindstrand Balloons 90A N6036F

Summary

On 18 July 2004 at about 12:40 local time, a Lindstrand Balloons 90A registered N6036F was involved in an accident near Allen, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2004 at 12:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Allen, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.1261, -96.6833

Aircraft

Lindstrand Balloons 90A

Registration

N6036F

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mckinney → Allen

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04CA234

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A 190-hour balloon pilot carrying two first-time balloon passengers landed in an open field and realized that the grass there was very tall. To aid the recovery of his balloon, the pilot elected to reposition the balloon closer a road where the grass was shorter. While repositioning the balloon, the pilot noticed power lines located along the road. Subsequently, the pilot shut-off the fuel and pilot light on the burner and opened the deflation port to deflate the envelope. During the deflation process, a gust of wind blew the balloon along the ground at a 45-degree angle toward the power lines. The pilot and the two passengers exited the basket before the envelope collided with the power lines. After approximately 30 to 45 seconds, the envelope was blown off the power lines and on to the nearby road.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.