# NTSB ATL95LA149: Fantasy Sky Promotions Fantasy 6, N304FB, Kingsport, TN, August 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1995, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Kingsport, TN
- Coordinates: 36.459136, -82.489929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4591&lon=-82.4899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PARTICIPATING IN A 'HARE AND HOUND' BALLOON RACE EVENT. HE STATED THAT WHILE DESCENDING TO DROP THE BEAN BAG ON THE TARGET, HE DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINE. HE STATED THAT THE POWER LINE WAS HIDDEN IN THE TREES. THE BALLOON STRUCK THE POWER LINE, AND BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS BURN INJURIES.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1995, at 0810 eastern daylight time, a Fantasy Sky Promotions Fantasy 6 Balloon, N304FB was substantially damaged following a collision with trees and electrical lines during a balloon race near Kingsport, Tennessee. The commercial pilot and his passenger were both seriously injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 at the time. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight.

The pilot stated that he was participating in a balloon "Hare and Hound" race. He was approaching the target area, and descending to drop the bean bag. He stated that he did not see the power line, which was in the tree tops, until the aircraft struck the lines. The aircraft contacted the power lines during the descent, and both occupants received burns from the power lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N304FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304FB-1999-05-22), registration cancelled 1999-05-22, S/N 056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FANTASY SKY PROMOTIONS FANTASY 6
- Registry model: [Fantasy Sky Promotions FANTASY 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/fantasy-sky-promotions-fantasy-6) (registry code 3410104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 056
- Airframe hours: 83
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon A. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1995, 13 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 31 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 10 nm away

## 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 19950805026519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950805026519A), Aug 5, 1995: FANTASY 7, Kingsport, TN, Substantial damage. Collided with wires and trees during descent to drop bean bag. Failed to see wires. Occupants burned by arcing.

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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