Lindstrand 105A N1410C
10 August 2018 · Driggs, Idaho, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 10 August 2018 at about 12:40 local time, a Lindstrand 105A registered N1410C, operated by Elevated Ballooning, was involved in an incident near Driggs, Idaho, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 12:40
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- Driggs, Idaho, United States
- Nearest airport
- Driggs (KDIJ)
- Coordinates
- 43.7428, -111.0967
- Aircraft
- Lindstrand 105A
- Registration
- N1410C
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2006
- Operator
- Elevated Ballooning
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Driggs → Driggs
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DCA18IA264
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
the drone pilot's decision to fly without pre-coordination, and without the requisite skills and knowledge, to maneuver the drone in close proximity to another aircraft.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The hot air balloon was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a commercial passenger sightseeing flight, under visual flight rules, within Class G airspace. The pilot saw the sUAS (drone) maneuvering in the area just prior to the collision. There was no opportunity or ability for the balloon pilot to avoid the drone. There was no evidence of any mechanical or software problems with the drone relevant to the flight. The pilot did not report any anomalies, and his narrative was in general agreement with the recorded logs and video. The drone operated as expected at all times. The Active Track feature occasionally lost lock on the camera target (the balloon), however, that was not unexpected given the nature of how the tracking feature operates and the visual appearance of the balloon envelope. The drone control app correctly and appropriately warned the pilot of the loss of Active Track lock. The drone remained connected with the remote controller and was controllable by the pilot at all times. The drone pilot initiated his flight within 5 miles of an airport without notifying the airport authority, contrary to the provisions of 14 CFR 101.41. The drone pilot was unaware of safe operating practices developed by any community-based model aircraft organization, and unaware of the requirement in 14 CFR 101.41 to at all times give way to manned aircraft. The pilot's flying skills were not sufficient to operate in proximity to another aircraft, namely the balloon, and he flew in proximity without coordination with the balloon pilot. The DJO GO control app gave the pilot numerous indications of losing track on the Active Track feature and initiation of Obstacle Avoidance feature, however, he continued to fly in close proximity to the balloon.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindstrand 105A NO SERIES | N1410C | Elevated Ballooning | - |
| Dji MAVIC 1P | UNREG | - | Destroyed |
Other Lindstrand 105 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 2019 | Lindstrand 105A | Lawton, Oklahoma, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2018 | Maule M5 | Lewiston, Idaho, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 May 2018 | Jim Green CCX | Couer D'Alene, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Dec 2018 | Piper PA-24-250 | Aberdeen, Idaho, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 Dec 2018 | Cessna 170 | Riggins, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 2018 | North Wing PULSE | Mountain Home, Idaho, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 2 Sep 2018 | Piper PA 12 | Rexburg, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |