# NTSB BFO94LA078: Cameron ET-90, N898ET, Louisville, KY, April 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1994, 08:08 local (12:08 UTC) - Place: Louisville, KY - Coordinates: 38.219818, -85.68048 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2198&lon=-85.6805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8919/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA078 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM WIRES DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS A DOWNDRAFT THAT EXCEEDED THE BALLOON'S AVAILABLE CLIMB CAPABILITY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND SENT UP THREE WEATHER BALLOONS PRIOR TO LAUNCHING ON THE FLIGHT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER INITIATING FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED DARKENING SKIES AND DECIDED TO LAND THE BALLOON SHORT OF THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT CHOSE A LANDING AREA IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO POWERLINES AND AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. HE STATED THAT HE ESTABLISHED A GLIDE PATH SO THAT HE WOULD CLEAR THE TOPS OF THE POWERLINES BY 20 FEET. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND STRUCK THE POWERLINES. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1994, at 0808 hours eastern daylight time, N898ET, a Cameron ET-90 balloon, operated by the Brown Foreman Beverage Company, Louisville, Kentucky, impacted powerlines during a descent and was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot and two crewmembers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The business flight originated from a field in Louisville and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, Flight Service confirmed a 2 1/2 hour flight window at 0600 hours. The pilot then sent up weather balloons at 0630 hours, 0700 hours, and 0730 hours to confirm acceptable weather for the flight. At 0745 hours, the pilot launched the balloon. Shortly thereafter, he "noticed darkening skies to the southwest." He stated he was flying about 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level (agl). He noticed the clouds continuing to intensify about 10 miles away and called Flight Service for an advisory. Flight Service stated that a level 3 storm was closing at 30 knots, so the pilot decided to land at the next suitable area. The area that he chose was in close proximity to an interstate highway and powerlines. The pilot stated that he established a glide path into a landing area so that he would "clear the [power] lines by approximately 20 feet," He stated that during the descent into the intended landing spot, the balloon encountered an "unexpected moderate downdraft at the worst possible moment." The gondola struck the top static powerline despite maximum correctional heat. The balloon's envelope pitched forward and the gondola slipped downward onto electrified powerlines, causing an electrical arcing, rupturing the envelope and damaging the gondola. The pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions. According to FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors, the flight was for promotional purposes. A radio announcer was broadcasting on board the balloon during the accident flight. The pilot had previously applied for and received a waiver to conduct the low-level flight from the FAA. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N898ET](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N898ET-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 2901, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CAMERON ET-90 - Registry model: [Cameron Balloons U S ET-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-u-s-et-90) (registry code 1880265) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 2901 - Airframe hours: 99 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Brown Foreman Beverage Company - Registered owner: Brown Foreman Beverage Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1994, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,277 total, 470 in this make and model, 1,177 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 2 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 19940426009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940426009349A), Apr 26, 1994: Camron ET90, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Unexpected weather closing in. Elected land in field accross power lines. Downdraft on final. Gondola struck wires. 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. --- 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.