Eagle C-7 N3016Z

Summary

On 9 May 2014 at about 23:40 local time, a Eagle C-7 registered N3016Z, operated by Kirk Daniel T, was involved in an accident near Ruther Glen, Virginia, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 2014 at 23:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Ruther Glen, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

37.9058, -77.4225

Aircraft

Eagle C-7

Registration

N3016Z

Category

Balloon

Year built

2000

Operator

Kirk Daniel T

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Doswell → Doswell

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14FA231

3 people died.

The pilot’s inadequate approach and his failure to maintain clearance from power lines, which resulted in a subsequent fire.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses to the accident reported observing the balloon approaching the landing zone from the south where another balloon had just landed. A video obtained from one of the witnesses showed that, as the balloon descended and approached the landing site, the pilot engaged the burner; however, shortly after, the balloon struck power lines, which resulted in a spark. Subsequently, the basket and a section of the balloon's envelope caught fire. The balloon then began an accelerated climb and drifted out of the camera's view. The wreckage was found about 6 miles north of the power lines. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the balloon. Federal Aviation Administration guidance on balloon flying states that, if there is an obstacle between the balloon and the landing site, the pilot should either give the obstacle appropriate clearance and drop in from altitude; reject the landing and look for another landing site; or fly a low approach to the obstacle, fly over the obstacle allowing plenty of room, and then land. It is likely that the pilot identified the power lines late in the approach and ignited the burner to climb but that insufficient time remained to clear the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.