Lindstrand 69A N96LN

Summary

On 30 July 2010 at about 12:40 local time, a Lindstrand 69A registered N96LN, operated by Walter G. Carlisle, Jr., was involved in an accident near Longview, Texas, United States. 2 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

30 July 2010 at 12:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Longview, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.4944, -94.7756

Aircraft

Lindstrand 69A

Registration

N96LN

Category

Balloon

Operator

Walter G. Carlisle, Jr.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Race/Show

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Longview → Longview

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10CA456

Nobody was injured.

The the pilot's inadvertent movement of the burner assembly off center resulting in an in-flight fire of the skirt and envelope of the balloon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's attention being diverted to venting the envelope to avoid an obstacle and lose altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was on approach to a target at the Great Texas Balloon Race. Witnesses said that it appeared the balloon was slightly below a set of telephone wires as it approached the target area. The pilot saw the wires and took action to clear the lines. However, as he leaned over the side of the basket to see the obstacle better, he inadvertently pulled the burner assembly off center of the envelope throat. The burner then ignited the skirt and 22 envelope panels. The pilot landed the balloon was immediately.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.