# NTSB FTW95LA338: General Balloon Newport AX8, N1384E, Houston, TX, August 12, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1995, 07:26 local (12:26 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.569078, -95.129447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5691&lon=-95.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA338
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA338

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF LIFT AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING AS RESULT OF THE DISENGAGEMENT OF A VELCRO STRIP AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOON'S ENVELOPE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - balloon equipment,envelope - unlatched (cause)
  - altitude - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

THE BALLOON LOST LIFT WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 500 FEET AGL WHEN A VELCRO STRIP SEPARATED ALLOWING THE TOP OF THE BALLOON'S ENVELOPE TO RELEASE THE HOT AIR. THE PILOT HEARD THE SOUND OF THE SEPARATING VELCRO AND ALERTED THE TWO PASSENGERS THAT THE BALLOON WAS GOING DOWN AS HE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE BALLOON LANDED HARD IN AN OPEN FIELD, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON, SERIOUS INJURIES TO ONE OF THE PASSENGERS, AND MINOR INJURIES TO THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1995, at 0726 central daylight time, a General Balloon Corp., Newport AX8, N1384E, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing near Houston, Texas.  The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, while another passenger was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the paid passenger flight.  A complete weather briefing was received prior to the local flight.

Following a preflight inspection and a normal inflation, the balloon ascended normally to 500 feet AGL.  The pilot stated that at approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, he heard the sound of Velcro separating on one of the panels on the balloon's envelope.

The pilot further stated that he alerted his two passengers that the balloon "was going down" as he immediately began to add heat to the envelope to control the rate of descent.

The pilot added that the balloon landed hard without rebound in the middle of an open field, approximately a quarter of a mile from the point of takeoff.  Witnesses near the accident site observed the balloon making a rapid descent and landing hard in an open field.

The Velcro strip that separated in flight had been inspected and tested during the last annual inspection, approximately 7 flight hours prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1384E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1384E-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 8007, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GENERAL BALLOON NEWPORT AX8 (NEWPORT AX)
- Registry model: [General Balloon NEWPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/general-balloon-newport) (registry code 3760302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 8007
- Airframe hours: 66
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Murtorff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1995, 7 hours before
- Departed: NONE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 632 total, 5 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGR, 20 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 19950812023959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812023959A), Aug 12, 1995: Amtr NIEUPORT24, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Velcro strip at top balloon separated. Lost hot air. Used burner slow descent but hit hard injuring 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.

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