# NTSB GAA15CA075: Head Balloons AX8 105 - NO Series, N3099F, Intercourse, PA, April 12, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 12, 2015, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Intercourse, PA
- Coordinates: 40.119998, -76.29 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1200&lon=-76.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Harrisburg FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91190/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91190
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA075

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain/location for takeoff in gusting wind conditions, resulting in a collision with a building, and substantial damage to the hot air balloon.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4280300), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=4280300), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=4280300), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4280300), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Head Balloons AX8-105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4280300), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the hot air balloon reported, "a gust of wind created a false lift effect on the balloon" during takeoff. The pilot's heat application to increase lift was insufficient to avoid colliding with a building. During the collision the hot air balloon sustained substantial damage to 44 of the 384 balloon panels. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the hot air balloon prior to flight that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the hot air balloon reported, "a gust of wind created a false lift effect on the balloon" during takeoff. The pilot's heat application to increase lift was insufficient to avoid colliding with a building. During the collision the hot air balloon sustained substantial damage to 44 of the 384 balloon panels. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the hot air balloon prior to flight that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3099F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3099F-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 317 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HEAD BALLOONS INC. AX8 105 - NO SERIES
- Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-105) (registry code 4280300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 317
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 370
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Fisher Robert W, doing business as New Horizon Balloon Team
- Registered owner: Fisher Robert W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2014
- Departed: Intercourse, PA
- Destination: Intercourse, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review April 6, 2015; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 495 total, 227 in this make and model, 495 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 9 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 20150412006269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150412006269A), Apr 12, 2015: Head Balloons AX8-105, Gordonville, PA, Substantial damage. Accident occurred at 3370 harvest drive, Gordonville, PA 17534 (harvest drive family inn and restaurant). Pictures and videos from spectators on the ground and…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91190. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 924 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum For Record of Weather KLNS (1830 EDT) (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20of%20Weather%20KLNS%20(1830%20EDT)%20-Master.PDF
- Photograph 1: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Substantial%20Damage%20to%20Balloon%20Tiles%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Photograph 2: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%202%3A%20Substantial%20Damage%20to%20Balloon%20Tiles%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)%20-Master.PDF
- Photograph 3: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 5, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%203%3A%20Substantial%20Damage%20to%20Balloon%20Tiles%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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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