# NTSB CEN12CA347: Cameron Balloons Z-90, N401DJ, Sellersburg, IN, June 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2012, 20:50 local (Jun 7, 2012, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Sellersburg, IN - Coordinates: 38.433334, -85.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4333&lon=-85.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA347 ## Probable cause The balloon pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis Passengers in the balloon reported that the balloon initially landed in an unmowed field that wasn't easily accessible by ground vehicles. They reported that the pilot decided to move the balloon to an adjacent field. The passengers noted that there was a fence and power lines that had to be crossed to get to the field. There were 3 lines on the power line poles, 2 of which were thinner and not as visible. The passengers reported that the balloon was traveling into the setting sun and that they believed the pilot only saw the lower, more visible power line. The passengers reported that when the balloon struck the power line a large arc ensued, and the pilot was thrown rearward into one of the passengers. The pilot was unconscious, and the passengers were able to deflate the balloon with verbal assistance from the ground crew. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the accident after the initial landing. Postaccident inspection of the balloon revealed no preimpact defects and minor damage. ## Factual narrative Passengers in the balloon reported that the balloon initially landed in an "unmowed field" that wasn't easily accessible by ground vehicles. They reported that the pilot decided to move the balloon to an adjacent field. The passengers noted that there was a fence and power lines that had to be crossed to get to the adjacent field. There were 3 lines on the poles and 2 were thinner and not as visible. The passengers reported that the balloon was traveling into the setting sun and they believe the pilot only saw the lower more visible power line. The passengers reported that when the balloon struck the power line a large arc ensued and the pilot was thrown rearward into one of the passengers. The pilot was unconscious at this time and the passengers were able to deflate the balloon with verbal assistance from the ground crew. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the accident after the initial landing. Postaccident inspection of the balloon revealed no preimpact defects and minor damage. The pilot received serious injuries and one passenger received minor injuries. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N401DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N401DJ), registered now, S/N 6291, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CAMERON BALLOONS Z-90 - Registry model: [Cameron Balloons Z-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-z-90) (registry code 1880300) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 6291 - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Dallas I. Beall III - Registered owner: Dallas Jewelers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2012 - Departed: Memphis, IN - Destination: Sellersburg, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; commercial; flight hours: 1,396 total, 1,350 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 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 20120606012979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120606012979A), Jun 6, 2012: Cameron Balloons Z-90, Sellersburg, IN, Minor damage. The pilot, carrying two passengers onboard, landed in a newly plowed field and decided to lift back off and fly over a road to an adjacent field, which was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83890. 327 KB in all. - Pilot statement (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA interview of pilot (item 2, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20interview%20of%20pilot-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-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.