# NTSB MIA08CA176: Cameron ZL-60, N61ZL, Anderson, SC, August 31, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2008, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Anderson, SC
- Coordinates: 34.494445, -82.709167
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4944&lon=-82.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Columbia FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA176

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the balloon burners.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Balloon/dirigible structures](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons ZL-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102/cases.md?model=1880339), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons ZL-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1880339), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons ZL-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1880339), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons ZL-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1880339), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was participating in a balloon competition event. He overflew his second target and climbed to 6,800 feet en-route to the third target. The basket started oscillating from right to left and he became disoriented. The pilot could not focus on the gauges and could not determine if he was climbing or descending. He thought he was descending, but the balloon was climbing. In order to arrest his perceived descent, the pilot continued to operate both burners which further increased his rate of ascent. During the climb he noticed that the parachute at the top of the balloon had shifted to the left and was letting out hot air. He tried to re-seal the parachute by adding more heat with the burners, and realized the balloon was in a rapid climb. The air in the balloon was evacuated and the balloon began to streamer, resulting in a rapid descent. The basket collided with a tree and the pilot was ejected from the basket. Examination of the envelope/balloon revealed the balloon was intact. All damage to the balloon was related to heat damage from the improper use of the burners or from impact damage from the tree. No precrash mechanical anomalies were noted during the inspection.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated he was participating in a balloon competition event. He over flew his second target and climbed to 6,800 feet en-route to the third target. The basket started oscillating from right to left and he became disoriented. The pilot could not focus on the gauges and could not determine if he was climbing or descending. The pilot stated he thought he was descending, but the balloon was climbing. In order to arrest his perceived descent, the pilot continued to operate both burners which further increased his rate of ascent. During the climb he noticed the parachute at the top of the balloon had shifted to the left and was letting out hot air. He tried to re-seal the parachute by adding more heat with the burners, and realized the balloon was in a rapid climb. The air in the balloon was evacuated and the balloon began to streamer resulting in a rapid descent. The basket collided with a tree and the pilot was ejected from the basket. Examination of the envelope/balloon revealed the balloon was intact. All damage to the balloon was related to heat damage from the improper use of the burners or impact damage from the tree. No precrash mechanical anomalies were noted during the inspection.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61ZL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61ZL-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 6495, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron ZL-60
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons ZL-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-zl-60) (registry code 1880339) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6495
- Airframe hours: 27
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles L. Walz
- Registered owner: Charles L. Walz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008, 27 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Anderson, SC
- Destination: NONE, Anderson, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; commercial; last flight review April 1, 2007; flight hours: 680 total, 72 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: AND

## 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 20080831855489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080831855489A), Aug 31, 2008: Camron ZL60, Anderson, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman crashed his balloon while competing in balloon federation of america race. Pilot sustained major injuries and admitted to the Anderson, SC…

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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