# NTSB CEN10CA456: Lindstrand 69A, N96LN, Longview, TX, July 30, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2010, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Longview, TX - Coordinates: 32.494445, -94.775558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4944&lon=-94.7756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 76824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA456 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76824/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76824 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA456 ## Probable cause The the pilot's inadvertent movement of the burner assembly off center resulting in an in-flight fire of the skirt and envelope of the balloon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's attention being diverted to venting the envelope to avoid an obstacle and lose altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 69A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=5180000), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 69A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=5180000), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 69A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=5180000), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on approach to a target at the Great Texas Balloon Race. Witnesses said that it appeared the balloon was slightly below a set of telephone wires as it approached the target area. The pilot saw the wires and took action to clear the lines. However, as he leaned over the side of the basket to see the obstacle better, he inadvertently pulled the burner assembly off center of the envelope throat. The burner then ignited the skirt and 22 envelope panels. The pilot landed the balloon was immediately. ## Factual narrative The pilot was participating in the Great Texas Balloon Race. According to his accident report, while inflating the balloon he thought the burner gimble was loose, but it seemed to be stable by the fuel lines held by the upright covers. Witnesses said that as the balloon approached the target area, it appeared to be slightly below a set of telephone wires. The pilot saw the wires and added heat to gain altitude. As he leaned over the side of the basket with his hand on the burner assembly, he inadvertently pulled the burner assembly off center of the envelope throat. The pilot said he released his hold on the burners momentarily and vented the envelope to lose altitude, then activated the burner to slow the descent. The burner moved to the side and burned the skirt, 22 envelope panels and "3 or 4" load tapes. The balloon master and an FAA inspector were on site watching the competition and instructed the pilot to land. The pilot made an uneventful landing and secured the balloon in the target area. The pilot wrote that he felt that if the burner system had a centering devise or springs (as is the case with the Raven, Aerostar, Balloon Works, and Eagle Balloon systems), this problem would have been avoided. The pilot stated, "The attention to the attitude of the balloon should not be interrupted with having to look up to see if the burners are pointed in the right direction. I believe it would not take much engineering to add a centering device, such as springs or a centering device, which would keep the burners centered if the screws or bolts are loosened due perhaps to vibration from driving." Statements submitted by a witness and an FAA safety technician corroborated the pilot's statement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96LN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96LN), registered now, S/N 5001, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND 69A - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons 69A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-69a) (registry code 5180000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5001 - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Operator: Walter G. Carlisle, Jr. - Registered owner: Walter G. Carlisle, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Longview, TX - Destination: NONE, Longview, TX - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 9,800 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: GGG ## 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 20100730045489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100730045489A), Jul 30, 2010: Lindstrand 69A, Longview, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was observed approaching a target during the balloon competition. A set of telephone wires was located between the aircraft and target area. From the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76824. 1.4 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Safety Technician's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Safety%20Technician%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness' Statement (item 4, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%27%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-Master.PDF 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.