# NTSB CHI08CA227: Head Balloons AX9-118, N3106K, Cook, MN, July 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2008, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Cook, MN - Coordinates: 47.945556, -92.624443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9456&lon=-92.6244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA227 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land in a confined area. Contributing to the accident were the hidden power transmission lines and the confined landing site. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4280102), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=4280102), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=4280102), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4280102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4280102), [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: [Head Balloons AX9-118, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=4280102), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a 15-20 minute balloon flight, the pilot began to look for a suitable landing area. The selected landing area was a road within a heavily wooded area. The pilot said that he did not see the power transmission lines that were hidden in the tree line alongside the road. During the landing, the surface winds blew the balloon envelope "in close proximity to the wires." According to the pilot, about five minutes after landing the balloon envelope lost enough hot air that it deflated on lines and caught on fire. An eyewitness reported seeing the balloon flying low over the forested area and then very thick black smoke. The pilot told local law enforcement that the balloon envelope contacted the power transmission lines before the basket touched-down. The law enforcement accident report stated that there was a "small showering of sparks and a very small flame" when the balloon envelope came in contact with the power lines. The balloon envelope was destroyed by the ensuing fire. ## Factual narrative After a 15-20 minute balloon flight, the pilot began to look for a suitable landing area. The selected landing area was a road within a heavily wooded area. The pilot said that he did not see the power transmission lines that were hidden in the tree line alongside the road. During the landing, the surface winds blew the balloon envelope "in close proximity to the wires." According to the pilot, about five minutes after landing the balloon envelope lost enough hot air that it deflated on lines and caught on fire. An eyewitness reported seeing the balloon flying low over the forested area and then very thick black smoke. The pilot told local law enforcement that the balloon envelope contacted the power transmission lines before the basket touched-down. The law enforcement accident report stated that there was a "small showering of sparks and a very small flame" when the balloon envelope came in contact with the power lines. The balloon envelope was destroyed by the ensuing fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3106K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3106K-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 292 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX9-118 - Registry model: [Head Balloons AX9 118](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax9-118) (registry code 05637CC) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 292 - Airframe hours: 220 - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007 - Departed: Lake Vermilion, MN - Destination: Cook, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2007; flight hours: 13,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: CQM, 8 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 20080731843239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080731843239A), Jul 31, 2008: Head AX9118, Cook, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 31, 2008 at approximately 07:30 a.m., [privacy data omitted] (pilot) departed his home in a hot air balloon with himself and 2 passengers. His… 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.