# NTSB FTW84LA164: Eagle Balloons Eagle C-7, N6081L, Houston, TX, March 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1984, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.829868, -95.660018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8299&lon=-95.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE WX AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS SCATTERED CLOUDS BETWEEN 150-650 FT AGL WITH A DEFINITE CEILING AT 650 FT (BROKEN). VISIBILITY WAS 1 MI WITH RAPIDLY FORMING FOG LAYER. THE PLT DESCENDED WITH THE INTENTION OF LANDING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HE SAW THE POWERLINES & IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE PRESSURE TOP & CONTACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FT FROM THE POWERLINES. HOWEVER, THE BALLOON DRAGGED ABOUT 80 FT & THE PYROMETER WIRE ON TOP OF THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE LOWEST POWERLINE. A PATH TO GROUND WAS MADE THROUGH THE PYROMETER CABLE/LINES, UPRIGHT LINES, FUEL TANK & SUPPORT CABLES. THE INSTANTANEOUS CHARGE (TO GROUND) SPLIT THE ENVELOPE DOWN THE PYROMETER WIRE, BLEW CONVERTING PINS OUT OF THEBURNER & UPRIGHT SUPPORTS, & SENT THE HIGH VOLTAGE/CURRENT FLOW INTO THE BASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6081L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6081L-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N E82733, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EAGLE BALLOONS EAGLE C-7
- Registry model: [Eagle Balloons C-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/eagle-balloons-c-7) (registry code 3240207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: E82733
- Airframe hours: 94
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A.K. Muir
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 952 total, 42 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken

## 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 19840310007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840310007319A), Mar 10, 1984: Eagleb EAGLEC7, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Takeoff made in marginal weather. Fog and wind encountered. Hit wires on landing. Burned envelope and occupants.

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.