# NTSB ERA11LA469: Lindstrand Balloons 180A, N75213, Lewiston, ME, August 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2011, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, ME - Coordinates: 44.093887, -70.222221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0939&lon=-70.2222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor, 4 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA469 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81574/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81574 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA469 ## Probable cause The separation of the inflation tank gas line due to an improperly positioned valve o-ring. Contributing to the accident was the use of an unapproved inflation tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness, who boarded the balloon for a sightseeing flight, reported that the pilot bent over and contacted a gas line with his arm. The line connection separated at the inflation tank, and gas sprayed upward and ignited. The pilot received second-degree burns on his hands and arms. Three passengers and one ground crewmember received minor injuries. A postaccident examination revealed that a rubber o-ring on the inflation tank valve was partially exposed and out of its normal position. The examination revealed that there was no approval documentation for the installation of the inflation tank. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2011, about 1800 eastern daylight time, the commercial pilot of a Lindstrand 180A balloon, N75213, was seriously injured while preparing for flight at a park in Lewiston, Maine. Three passengers and one ground crewmember had minor injuries, and three passengers were not injured. The balloon was not damaged. The balloon was registered to Infinity and Beyond LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a revenue, sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he inflated the balloon, unstrapped the inflation tank, and prepared a place for a seventh passenger to board the basket. While moving the inflation tank, "the burner hose popped off the tank." Propane gas leaked from the hose, and ignited into a fireball. The pilot sustained second-degree burns to his face and arms and was hospitalized for more than 48 hours. A witness reported that, while passengers were boarding the basket, the pilot bent over and his arm contacted the line of a gas tank. The connection "instantly separated," gas sprayed upward about 6 to 8 feet, and the gas ignited. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the balloon. A rubber o-ring on the inflation tank valve was half-exposed and out of its normal position. The inspector also reported that there was no approval documentation for the installation of the inflation tank. The owner stated that he was unaware that the inflation tank was not approved and would remove it and replace it with another tank that was approved by a FAA repair station. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75213](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75213-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 5301, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 180A - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-180a) (registry code 5180003) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5301 - Airframe hours: 141 - Damage: No damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 2010 - Departed: Lewiston, ME - Destination: Lewiston, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2011; flight hours: 1,750 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: LEW, 4 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 20110820019449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820019449A), Aug 20, 2011: Lindstrand Balloons 180A, Lewiston, ME, Minor damage. Event/location: Lewiston balloon festival, Lewiston Maine. It was reported while during the pre-launch, the pilot was in the process inflating the envelope… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81574. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Owner's Written Statement (item 4, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Owner%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement - Marsh (item 5, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Marsh-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Inflation Bottle (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 766 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Inflation%20Bottle%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Inflation Bottle Valve (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Inflation%20Bottle%20Valve%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.