# NTSB LAX86LA359: Cameron 0-77, N2948G, Tiburon, CA, September 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1986, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Tiburon, CA
- Coordinates: 37.889766, -122.469406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8898&lon=-122.4694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA359
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA359

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - open (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL ADVERTISING FLIGHT ACROSS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON UP-SLOPING TERRAIN. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEPER THAN ANTICIPATED & THE PLT BECAME DISTRACTED. THE PLT FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE PILOT LIGHT TO THE LEFT BURNER. WHEN THE BALLOON DESCENDED ON THE GONDOLA DURING THE TOUCHDOWN SEQUENCE. THE OPERATING PILOT LIGHT IGNITED RESIDUAL FUEL IN THE FUEL LINE. THE FIRE SPREAD & THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2948G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2948G-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 5054, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron 0-77
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US O-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-o-77) (registry code 1880207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5054
- Airframe hours: 134
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terri Prichard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Destination: OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total, 38 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860930047889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860930047889A), Sep 30, 1986: Camron O77, Tiburon, CA, Destroyed. Failed to turn off burner pilot light for landing. Envelope descended onto burner caught fire and destroyed balloon

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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