# NTSB LAX90LA109: Cameron O-105, N364CB, Phoenix, AZ, March 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1990, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.450706, -111.639717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4507&lon=-111.6397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA109

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF THE BALLOON'S FUEL/HEATER SYSTEM BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR AND FAILURE OF THE FUEL LINE CONNECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK AND GONDOLA (BASKET) FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - balloon equipment,burner system - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - balloon equipment,burner system - failure,total (cause)
  - balloon equipment,burner system - leak (cause)
  - balloon equipment,basket - fire (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - evacuation - delayed, passenger

## Analysis

AFTER 30 MIN OF FLT, THE PLT LNDD THE BALLOON IN A DESERT AREA.  THE CHASE CREW WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AREA, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY THE BALLOON & PSGRS TO AN ACCESSIBLE AREA.  MOMENTS AFTER LIFT-OFF, A FUEL LINE CONNECTION FAILED & A FIRE ERUPTED. THE PILOT TOLD THE PSGRS TO JUMP; 1 PSGR JUMPED (OR FELL) FROM A RELATIVELY HIGH ALTITUDE & WAS FATALLY INJURED. AN EXAM OF THE BALLOON REMAINS REVEALED THE FUEL SYS WAS MODIFIED TO A CONFIGURATION THAT WAS NOT APPROVED BY EITHER THE FAA OR THE MANUFACTURER. ONLY TWO FUEL TANKS WERE ORIGINALLY APPROVED FOR THIS BALLOON; FOUR FUEL TANKS WERE INSTALLED & TWO OTHERS WERE LOOSE IN THE BASKET. THE FUEL MANIFOLDS FOR THE INSTALLED TANKS WERE OF AN UNKNOWN DESIGN & ORIGIN WITH HOSES & FITTINGS THAT DID NOT MEET FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N364CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N364CB-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 603 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON O-105
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons 0-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-0-105) (registry code 1880113) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 603
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynn Kennelly
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 1,589 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,510 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900303003009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900303003009A), Mar 3, 1990: Camron O105, Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hose came off bogus propane system. Fire erupted. Pilot passengers jumped about 25 feet AGL. Last one at 100 feet.

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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