# NTSB CEN12LA248: Aerostar International Raven S49A, N70451, Janesville, WI, April 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2012, 19:00 local (Apr 13, 2012, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Janesville, WI - Coordinates: 42.67472, -89.039718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6747&lon=-89.0397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83422 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83422/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83422 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA248 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he attempted to abort the landing when he saw that he was getting too close to the powerlines. He said he used a “continuous burn” to abort the landing; however, when it became apparent that the balloon would still hit the powerlines, he initiated an emergency descent. The balloon hit the powerlines and then descended to the ground. The impact with the powerlines caused an arc flash that burned the lower 20 percent of the balloon envelope. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2012, about 1900 central daylight time, an Aerostar International Inc., Raven S49A balloon, N70451, impacted powerlines while landing at Janesville, Wisconsin. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor burn injuries. The balloon was substantially damaged. The balloon was registered to and operated by Bushelle Aerial Photography LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed an off-airport location in Janesville, Wisconsin, about 1840. According to the pilot he attempted to abort his landing when he saw he was getting too close to the powerlines. He said he used a “continuous burn” to abort the landing; however, when it became apparent that the balloon would still hit the powerlines, he initiated an emergency descent. The balloon hit the powerlines which caused an arc flash that burned the lower twenty percent of the balloon envelope. The arcing also damaged the steel envelope suspension cables and completely severed one. The basket descended to the ground and remained upright. The partially inflated envelope draped over the powerlines and after the envelope had deflated and was clear of the powerlines, the pilot and passenger exited the basket. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70451](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70451), registered now, S/N S49A-3193 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RAVEN S49A - Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s49a) (registry code 7484049) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S49A-3193 - Airframe hours: 253 - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bushelle Aerial Photography LLC - Registered owner: Bushelle Aerial Photography LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2011 - Departed: NONE, Janesville, WI - Destination: NONE, Janesville, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2011; flight hours: 3,150 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KJVL, 3 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 20120412005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120412005779A), Apr 12, 2012: Aerostar International Inc RAVEN S49A, Janesville, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot flew with pax from one small park to another. Attempted landing at about 1915. During descent, pilot reported wind shift toward power lines. Attempted go… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83422. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maps (item 2, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 3, .PDF, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-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.