# Accident 20110820019449A: Lindstrand Balloons 180A, Lewiston, ME, August 20, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2011, 19:00 local time
- Place: Lewiston, ME
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.0939° N, 70.2222° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0939&lon=-70.2222&mi=10
- Aircraft: N75213, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75213-2019-05-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Lindstrand Balloons 180A (registry code 5180003, https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-180a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 180A
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 5
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,800 total, 100 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA11LA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA469) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820019449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

EVENT/LOCATION:  LEWISTON BALLOON FESTIVAL, LEWISTON MAINE.  IT WAS REPORTED WHILE DURING THE PRE-LAUNCH, THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS INFLATING THE ENVELOPE WHEN A FUEL LINE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM A FUEL CYLINDER.  THIS RESULTED IN PROPANE LEAKING/SPRAYING FROM THE CYLINDER AND THE PROPANE CAME IN CONTACT WITH BURNER PILOT LIGHT CAUSING A FLASHBACK (FIREBALL).  ALL PASSENGERS AND PILOT EVACUATED THE BALLOON BASKET.  THE PILOT, THREE PASSENGERS AND ONE GROUND CREW SUSTAINED BURNS.  FOUR PEOPLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.  THE PILOT RECEIVED THE MOST SERIOUS BURNS (2ND DEGREE) TO HIS ARM AND FACE.  PILOT WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS.  A PASSENGER STATED THAT HE WATCHED THE PILOT MOVE THE FUEL CYLINDER TO MAKE ROOM FOR ONE MORE PASSENGER.  THE PILOT THEN TURNED AROUND AND MOVED TO REPOSITION THE BOTTLE AS HE BENT OVER TOWARDS THE TANK, THE PILOT'S ARM CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE FUEL LINE CAUSING THE FUEL LINE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED, RESULTING IN A PROPANE LEAK.  FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FUEL CYLINDER WAS CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAINE STATE FIRE MARSHALLS OFFICE, REVEALED THAT THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE VALVE "O" RING HAD COME UNSEATED ON THE QUICK RELEASE VALVE.  INVESTIGATION PENDING.  END.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA11LA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA469), Aug 20, 2011: Lindstrand Balloons 180A (N75213), Lewiston, ME, no damage. Probable cause: The separation of the inflation tank gas line due to an improperly positioned valve o-ring. Contributing to the accident was the use of an unapproved inflation tank.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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