# NTSB ERA18LA116: Lindstrand Balloons 105A, N1517H, Wesley Chapel, FL, March 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 24, 2018, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Wesley Chapel, FL - Coordinates: 28.178611, -82.350555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1786&lon=-82.3506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96952/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96952 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines during landing approach, which resulted in an inflight collision with the powerlines. ## 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); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=5180002), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=5180002), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=5180002), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5180002), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5180002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, as the balloon approached the intended landing site, he saw that the area was roped off. He then decided to proceed to his alternate landing site, which was an adjacent field located behind a shopping center. He began a descent toward the alternate site and saw power lines as he passed over the shopping center. The pilot attempted to climb over the powerlines by activating the burners, but upon realizing that it was too late to climb, he secured the fuel and told his passengers to prepare for a hard landing. The balloon descended into the powerlines, resulting in substantial damage to the cables, throat, and scoop; then landed upright in the field. Recorded weather conditions near the accident site included calm wind. The accident is consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during landing approach. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2018, about 0845 eastern daylight time, a Lindstrand Balloons 105A, N1517H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wesley Chapel, Florida. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. The pilot reported that he was preparing to land, and as the balloon approached the landing site, he saw that the area was roped off. He then decided to land at his alternate landing site, which was an adjacent field located behind a shopping center. He began a descent toward the alternate site and saw power lines as he passed over the stores. The pilot applied the burners in an attempt to climb, but realized that it was too late and that the balloon was going to hit the powerlines. The pilot told the passengers that there would be a hard landing and to, "get down." The pilot secured the fuel at the burners and the tanks. The balloon descended straight down and the pilot heard a "pop" and felt sparks on his shoulders as the balloon hit the powerlines. The basket landed upright, and witnesses came to assist. An examination of the balloon by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the balloon cables, throat, and scoop were damaged during the collision with the powerlines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1517H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1517H), registered now, S/N 5371, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 105A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons 105A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-105a) (registry code 5180002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5371 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 193.4 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2017 - Departed: Zephyrhills, FL - Destination: Wesley Chapel, FL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 339 total, 193 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: ZPH, 18 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 20180324014639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180324014639A), Mar 24, 2018: Lindstrand Balloons 105A, Wesley Chapel, FL, Substantial damage. On 03/24/2018 N1517H contacted power lines. Before landing pilot learned that primary landing site field had been roped off due to an easter egg hunt and had… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 1, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96952. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 360 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9104256&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA116%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9104601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1517H%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record FAA examination summary LA116 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9104265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20examination%20summary%20%20LA116-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9105129&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20LA116-Rel.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.