# NTSB DFW05LA125: Aerostar International S53A, N699WH, Shreveport, LA, May 19, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 2005, 19:10 local (May 19, 2005, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Shreveport, LA
- Coordinates: 32.446388, -93.825553
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4464&lon=-93.8256&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61509/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61509
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from electrical power lines.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

While flying over a residential area, the balloon struck electrical power lines approximately 60 feet above ground level (agl).  Subsequently, the balloon was observed by witnesses ascending to an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, with the basket of the balloon engulfed in flames.  The balloon drifted for approximately two miles before gradually descending and coming to rest in a parking lot.

## Factual narrative

On May 18, 2005, approximately 1910 central daylight time, an Aerostar S53A hot-air balloon, N699WH, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines during cruise flight near Shreveport, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured.  The balloon was registered to and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The local flight originated from a staging area at Bluebird Hill Airport (5F5) near Keithville, Louisiana, at 1835.

According to information gathered by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the balloon was flying over a residential area when it struck electrical power lines, approximately 60 feet above ground level (agl).  Subsequently, the balloon was observed by witnesses ascending to an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, with the basket of the balloon engulfed in flames.  The balloon drifted for approximately two miles before gradually descending and coming to rest in a church parking lot.

Examination of the balloon by the FAA inspector revealed that the basket was destroyed by fire, and the skirt of the balloon envelope was burnt.  Debris from the balloon was found scattered between the point of initial contact with the power lines to the where the balloon came to rest.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N699WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N699WH), registered now, S/N S53A-3071, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar International Inc. S53A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S53A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s53a) (registry code 7487906) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S53A
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Wesley Harwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5F5, Keithville, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; commercial; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 28,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: SHV

## 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 20050518009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050518009659A), May 18, 2005: Arostr S53A, Shreveport, LA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. (-23) Balloon with pilot and one passenger struck and became entangled in pwerline. Balloon basket became engulfed in flames due to arcing from powerlines.…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61509. 5 KB in all.

- No Supporting Documents (item 1, .PDF, 5 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40232932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=No%20Supporting%20Documents-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.

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