# Balloon/dirigible structures - Type: NTSB finding section - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft structures](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0103) › Balloon/dirigible structures - NTSB code: 010351 - Cases: 7 - In the probable cause: 6 - Fatal cases: 2 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010351/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010351/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010351 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 3 / 4 - 2010: 1 / 1 - 2012: 1 / 1 - 2017: 1 / 1 ## Findings - [Balloon/dirigible structures, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102): 7 cases, 6 in the probable cause ## Defining events in these cases - [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 2 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases - [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 1 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 1 cases - [Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150): 1 cases - [Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Ultramagic N-425](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-n-425): 1 cases - [Aerostar International S-77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-77a): 1 cases - [Lindstrand Balloons 150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-150a): 1 cases - [Head Balloons AX9-118](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax9-118): 1 cases - [Cameron Balloons ZL-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-zl-60): 1 cases - [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-15): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [High wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055) (Environmental issues): 2 cases - [Equipment design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04011010) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Updraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 1 cases - [Use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032) (Personnel issues): 1 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 1 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB CEN17FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA231), Jun 15, 2017: Gefa-Flug AS-105-GD (G-SUNA), Hartford, WI, destroyed. Probable cause: The overpressurization failure of the airship envelope as a result of the airship's encounter with gusty wind conditions and thermal activity. Contributing to the accident was the jammed Plexiglass… - [NTSB ERA12CA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA328), Apr 16, 2012: Ultramagic N425 (N990BR), Clermont, FL, no damage. Probable cause: The balloon passenger's failure to maintain her grip during landing, which resulted in a fall and injury to another passenger. - [NTSB WPR10LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA161), Mar 16, 2010: Head Balloons AX9 118 (N3087D), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the balloon’s rapid deflation system, which resulted in its inhibited functionality during landing. - [NTSB NYC08FA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA307), Sep 7, 2008: Lindstrand Balloons 150A (N844LB), Phoenixville, PA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The separation of a portion of a fuel fitting during a hard landing resulting in release of fuel and a fire in the balloons basket area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow… - [NTSB MIA08CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA176), Aug 31, 2008: Cameron ZL-60 (N61ZL), Anderson, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the balloon burners. - [NTSB DFW08LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA206), Aug 17, 2008: Balloon Works Firefly 7-15 (N90897), Mountain Grove, MO, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An on-board fire following a propane leak. Contributing to the accident was the lack of training/experience of the non-certificated pilot. - [NTSB LAX08CA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA209), Jul 2, 2008: Aerostar International S-77A (N9014W), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: An encounter with a sudden gust of wind, which rendered the balloon uncontrollable and led to a collision with a tree. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.