# NTSB ATL87LA207: Aerostar RX-7, N2897H, Crestwood, KY, July 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1987, 08:42 local (12:42 UTC)
- Place: Crestwood, KY
- Coordinates: 38.329708, -85.480407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3297&lon=-85.4804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA207

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not issued, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, landing - aborted
  - balloon equipment - arcing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON CONTACTED POWER LINES AS IT WAS BEGINNING TO CLIMB AFTER AN ABORTED LDG ATTEMPT. ELECTRICAL ARCING IGNITED THE PROPANE FUEL SUPPLY ON BOARD. THE SOLE-OCCUPANT STUDENT PLT JUMPED FROM THE BURNING BALLOON AND FELL APPROX 40 FT ONTO A FENCE. THE STUDENT PLT LATER REPORTED THAT SHE DIDN'T SEE THE POWER LINE UNTIL JUST BEFORE CONTACT. THE STUDENT PLT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS ON THE GROUND NEARBY AT THE TIME. HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T WARN THE STUDENT OF THE WIRES BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE SAW THEM AND WAS GOING TO CLEAR THEM. THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLT. SHE HAD APPROX 1 HR TOTAL PIC TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2897H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2897H-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N RX7-3069, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-7
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-7) (registry code 7487007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-3069
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stuart Crawford
- Departed: LOUISVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870709037459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870709037459A), Jul 9, 1987: Raven RX7, Crestwood, KY, Substantial damage. Collided with powerlines on climbing after aborting landing. Caught fire. Student pilot jumped from balloon.

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.

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