# NTSB BFO87LA041: Piccard AX-6, N2496Z, Gaithersburg, MD, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 07:21 local (11:21 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170333, -77.179306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1703&lon=-77.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

AFTER TWO ABORTED LANDINGS THE PILOT SAW A FIELD IN THE DISTANCE AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND. ALTHOUGH TWO OTHER BALLOONS HAD LANDED NEARBY, THE FIELD HE WAS BLOWN TOWARDS HAD NUMEROUS POWERLINES SURROUNDING IT, SOME OF THEM AT TREETOP HEIGHT. DURING THE APPROACH FOR LANDING THE BALLOON CONTACTED A 69,000 VOLT POWERLINE, CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED AFTER GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2496Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2496Z-1988-12-09), registration cancelled 1988-12-09, S/N 496 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [General Balloon AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/general-balloon-ax-6) (registry code 3760202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 496
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Vannewkirk
- Registered owner: Robert E. Vannewkirk
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: GERMANTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; flight hours: 55 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 25 nm away

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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