# NTSB LAX90LA220: Aerostar S-66A, N6307C, Davis, CA, June 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1990, 08:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.709987, -121.84983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7100&lon=-121.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA220

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY MANAGE THE FUEL VALVES TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE BURNER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - balloon equipment,burner system - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- Fire, landing

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE BALLOONS' BURNER WAS NOT PRODUCING SUFFICIENT FLAME TO KEEP THE BALLOON FROM DESCENDING. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH WIRES. DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, TWO OF THE FOUR FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND CONTAINING FUEL, AND TWO TANKS WERE NEARLY EMPTY. THE PILOT LIGHT WAS LIGHTED AND THE BURNER SATISFACTORILY OPERATED WHEN THE TANKS CONTAINING FUEL WERE PLACE ON-LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6307C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6307C-2013-06-24), registration cancelled 2013-06-24, S/N S66A-3041, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S-66A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-66a) (registry code 7486066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 3041
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Boland, Gary, doing business as American Balloon Adventures
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 6, 1990, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; flight hours: 600 total, 200 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900616021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900616021119A), Jun 16, 1990: Raven S66A, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered low fuel burn. Landing in a back yard struck wires. Pilot mismanaged fuel, caused low pressure.

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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