# NTSB LAX86FA223: General Balloon AX-6, N2490Z, Temecula, CA, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN A 'HARE AND HOUND' EVENT AND HAD DEPARTED A FESTIVAL STAGING AREA ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AREA THE BALLOON HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE POSITIONING AREA THE BALLOON HAD EXHAUSTED ITS LIQUID PROPANE SUPPLY. ONE OCCUPANT IN THE BALLOON WAS ATTEMPTING TO THROW A ROPE TO GROUND WITNESSES BUT DURING THE DESCENT THE BASKET CONTACTED SOME 31 FT AGL HIGH TENSION WIRES. ALL 12 CABLES AND THE HEATER CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE BURNING/ARCING SIGNATURES AND ALL OF THE 1/4 IN STAINLESS STEEL CABLES WERE BURNED THROUGH & SEPARATED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ATTACH POINTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2490Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GENERAL BALLOON AX-6
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 480
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leon G. Flanagan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: TEMECULA, CA
- Airport: 2L0, Rancho California

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; toxicology performed; flight hours: 126 total, 126 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860517017799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017799A), May 17, 1986: Genbal AX6GENERAL, Temecula, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The hot air balloon struck powerlines during a forced landing. Pilot failed to carry enough fuel for the flight.

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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