# NTSB LAX07CA094: General Balloon AX-6, N2447Z, San Martin, CA, January 21, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 21, 2007, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: San Martin, CA
- Coordinates: 37.080554, -121.597221
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0806&lon=-121.5972&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA094

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from power lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

The hot air balloon collided with power lines during cruise flight.  The pilot stated while en route to his destination he was unable to arrest a descent and the wind blew the balloon into the power lines.  The skirts and suspension cables were scorched as a result of the contact.  He applied sufficient heat in the balloon's envelope and the balloon ascended to about 300 feet above ground level (agl).  Shortly thereafter, he performed a landing in an open filed without mishap.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to impact.

## Factual narrative

The hot air balloon collided with power lines.  The pilot stated while en route to his destination he was unable to arrest a descent, as the balloon's burner performance was less then he had expected.  The wind blew the balloon into the power lines.  The skirts and suspension cables were scorched as a result of the contact.  The pilot applied sufficient heat in the balloon's envelope and the balloon ascended to about 300 feet above ground level (agl).  Shortly thereafter, he performed a landing in an open filed without mishap.  The pilot estimated the winds were between 5 and 6 knots.

The pilot reported that he had amassed a total of 983.3 hours in lighter than air aircraft, of which 28.5 hours were in the same make and model as the accident balloon.  He reported that at the time of the accident the temperature was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  He opined that the cold temperature resulted in a decrease in burner performance due to the fuel cooling and less pressure flowing through the burner unit.  The tanks on the accident balloon were not equipped with heating elements, although they are on the type certificate.  He thought the accident could have been prevented if he had tank heater to warm the burners, or had Supplemental Type Certificated upgraded burner system.

The pilot additionally reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2447Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2447Z-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 447, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: General Balloon Corp. AX-6
- Registry model: [General Balloon AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/general-balloon-ax-6) (registry code 3760202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 447
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Morgan Hill, CA
- Destination: San Martin, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; flight hours: 983 total, 29 in this make and model, 958 in the last 90 days, 158 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 20070121002239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070121002239A), Jan 21, 2007: Genbal AX6GENERAL, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot failed to use the propane burner early enough to create sufficient hot air to arrest the landing descent. The effect of cold weather reducing…

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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