Cameron Balloons Us N-77 N4003P

Summary

On 21 September 2008 at about 14:00 local time, a Cameron Balloons Us N-77 registered N4003P was involved in an accident near Plano, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 September 2008 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Plano, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.0236, -96.7667

Aircraft

Cameron Balloons Us N-77

Registration

N4003P

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Race/Show

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plano → Plano

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN08LA158

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's improper fuel management, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.