NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 16, 2013, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cameron Balloons Z-105, N4019A, incurred minor damage after impacting power lines during a landing approach to a field near Homestead General Aviation Airport (X51), Homestead, Florida. The balloon was registered to and operated by Aaron’s Balloon Company, LLC, doing business as Balloon Over Miami. The commercial pilot was not injured and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the revenue sightseeing flight that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from an empty field in rural Miami-Dade County, Florida, about 0825.

According to the pilot, the flight's cruise altitude was approximately 1,000 feet mean sea level. He stated that while airborne, he checked the weather and winds multiple times and even used the "shaving cream" method to monitor wind direction. During the approach to landing, the pilot stated that he was aware of, and knew the location of, the power lines. He further stated that he "normally avoids them by having extra altitude so that the balloon can clear them." The pilot stated that about 500 feet above ground level (agl) and two miles from the expected touchdown zone, he verified the wind, and descended to 200 feet agl. As the balloon approached the power lines, a downdraft of wind pushed the balloon onto the power lines. The pilot stated that he normally flies the balloon with only one burner in operation but had both burners on full power in an attempt to overcome the down draft. The pilot further reported that just prior to impact with the wires he turned off the burners. Upon contact with the power lines, there was a flash fire which caused serious injuries to the passengers. The fuel system of the balloon was not involved in the fire. The pilot did not report any preflight malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. According to a report provided by the ground crew everything looked normal until impact with the power line.

According to a passenger on the balloon, she and her boyfriend met the balloon operator about 0600. From there, the group moved from the rendezvous location to another location in northwest rural Miami-Dade County, that she was unfamiliar with. The passenger stated that the pilot was studying weather patterns and that he requested that they both help the pilot assemble the balloon. The passenger stated that the pilot's intended destination was X51. They took off about 0800 and the pilot was providing a "tour" and flying over local farms. The passenger stated that since there was no wind, the flight was unusually long and that she was "getting bored." The two passengers were starting to wonder why the balloon was low over the farm fields as the gondola (basket) was brushing the tops of trees as they flew by. She stated that she was able to see the farm worker's faces, waved to them, and that she remembers a little dog barking. The pilot stated that it was normal to fly low and that he did not want to land the balloon into a "seeded" field.

The female passenger recalled that the pilot was in radio communication with the ground crew and that they warned him of power lines in the balloon's path. As the gondola approached the power lines, she added that the gondola hit the lines on the side of the basket. There was also a sound of desperation from the pilot asking for her boyfriend to throw the line out to the ground crew. As the gondola impacted the power lines, she remembers a big flash, being electrocuted, and then falling and losing control of all her limbs. She stated that the only thing that she remembers after her electrocution was looking up and seeing her boyfriend who was on fire on his back side.

According to the male passenger, he and his girlfriend helped the pilot assemble the balloon. The passenger and his girlfriend received a safety briefing from the pilot that contained information that pertained to watching out for power lines and trees. The passenger stated that the pilot's original destination was X51. As the flight progressed, the winds were very light and the flight was getting boring due to the extended duration. The witness added that about a mile and a half from the wire impact point, the pilot knew that he wasn't going to be able to make a landing at X51. He recalled that he, and his girlfriend, wondered why the balloon was so low over the tomato and avocado fields, and estimated their altitude as approximately 10 feet agl. The witness remembered that while the pilot was directing his ground crew to a suitable landing location, they warned him about the power lines. He remembers the pilot mentioning the power lines and that the pilot gave him landing instructions, which were to deploy a line to the ground crew when the pilot commanded.

The male passenger stated that as they approached the power lines, the pilot was trying to add power to the burners. As they approached the power lines, the pilot directed them to assume their respective landing positions. The passenger indicated that the pilot was standing behind his girlfriend and that he was the only person on his side of the basket. As the basket made contact with the power lines, he recalled seeing a fire ball come from the wires. The passenger stated that other than looking down and seeing his girlfriend on fire, he did not remember anything after that.

According to an eyewitness the balloon was observed just above tree tops and that the balloon appeared to be “show boating or was in trouble." The witness also added that the pilot was “putting the coals” to it to get airborne, and it appeared that the balloon tried to land in the field adjacent to his property. A picture provided by the witness depicts the balloon about 50 feet agl.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 39, holds a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, airplane multiengine land, instrument airplane, and lighter-than-air-balloon. According to the pilot he had accrued 143 total hours of flight experience in balloons at the time of the accident.

BALLOON INFORMATION

The balloon was a Cameron Balloons, U. S., serial number 6473; it consisted of a 24 gore A-Type envelope, a single/double burner heater, and was equipped with 3 stainless steel fuel tanks. It also had a MINI-T type basket which was constructed of wicker and aluminum sub-frame. The basket was manufactured in 2007. The balloon was issued a standard airworthiness certificate on June 18, 2011.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The 0958 recorded surface weather observation at X51, located approximately 1 mile to the west of the accident site, included wind from 040 degrees at 04 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 19 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury. A review of other nearby recorded weather observation information revealed similar weather conditions throughout the area.

An NTSB Meteorologist provided a report of the surface analysis surrounding the area of the wreckage on the day of the accident. According to the report, there was no evidence that supported a convective downdraft, outflow or other surface wind event around 0930-1000 on March 16, 2013 near X51. Weather Surveillance Radar, 1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) weather radar and Terminal Doppler Weather Radar from Miami were relatively clear. Neither gave an indication of convection nearby or a boundary/gust moving through the accident area. Widespread weather radar targets moving through the area toward the west coast of Florida near that time were noted on the WSR-88D between 0900-0930; however, those targets appeared to be biological and not meteorological. Weather satellite data gave no indication of surface wind hazards. All surface observations in the area near the time of the accident indicated a light wind surrounding the accident period. The highest gust noted for the area was 12 knots reported by an unofficial station six nautical miles to the north near Chekika Park, Florida. All automated weather-reporting commercial aircraft flying into and out of KMIA around the accident time indicated light wind below 1,000 feet msl. There was nothing of note in any of the National Weather Service products. There were no low-altitude pilot reports.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the balloon by NTSB investigators and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the bottom sub-frame retaining bolts and nuts showed marks consistent with arc damage. One propane tank incurred marks on the valve guard ring consistent with arc damage. The envelope sustained three burn holes about ten inches in diameter along the vertical load tape. The first propane tank quantity gauge read seven percent, the second tank read forty percent, and the third propane tank read two percent.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAA-H-8083-11A BALLOON FLYING HANDBOOK

Chapter 7 "Inflight Maneuvers" states in part "One technique to determine if the balloon is ascending, flying level, or descending is to sight potential obstacles in the flight path of the balloon as the balloon approaches the wires, the pilot should determine how the wires (or other obstacles) are moving in his or her field of vision relative to the background. If they are moving up in the pilot's field of vision, or staying in stationary, then the balloon is on a descent that may place the pilot and passengers at risk. Conversely, if the wires are moving down in the pilot's field of vision, then the balloon is either in level flight or ascending, and able to clear the obstacle. Vigilance is required for constant scanning of the terrain along the flight path, and the pilot must be alert to avoid becoming fixated on sighting objects."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid obstructions during the approach to land, which resulted in a collision with power lines.