Aerostar RAVEN S49A N6378E

Summary

On 18 April 2009 at about 15:15 local time, a Aerostar RAVEN S49A registered N6378E, operated by Lester David V, was involved in an accident near Tracy, California, 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

18 April 2009 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Tracy, California, United States

Coordinates

37.6889, -121.4414

Aircraft

Aerostar RAVEN S49A

Registration

N6378E

Category

Balloon

Operator

Lester David V

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tracy → Tracy

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09CA207

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while approaching an open field for landing, the balloon suddenly slowed down. Shortly after, he noticed that the balloon had contacted power line wires and that the lines were traveling down the side of the balloon's envelope and uprights and trapped his passenger against the basket. The pilot stated that the passenger was able to free herself as he was able to kick the wires from the corner of the basket. The balloon subsequently ascended about 200 feet. The pilot proceeded to initiate a landing in the nearest open field and landed without further incident. The pilot further reported that neither he nor his passenger saw the power lines prior to impact. Examination of the hot air balloon revealed that the envelope and basket sustained minor damage; however, the passenger sustained serious injuries.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.