# NTSB MIA87FA124: Eagle C-7, N7321R, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1987, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.140758, -80.169815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1408&lon=-80.1698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BALLOON STRUCK POWERLINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A SUITABLE LDG SITE. THE PLT STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE BALLOON INTO THE WIRES & HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB TO AVOID THE WIRES PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS & AT 6000 FT OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 KTS. THE BALLOON HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & WAS DRIFTING INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL REQUIRES THAT PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR BE WORN BY ALL OCCUPANTS DURING TAKE OFF & LDG. NONE WAS WEARING THE HEAD GEAR & NONE WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. AT LEAST ONE PAX SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7321R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Eagle Aircraft Co. C-7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: E8
- Airframe hours: 228
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rainbow Riders, Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1986, 29 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; flight hours: 689 total, 25 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 3 nm away

## 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 19870402060999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870402060999A), Apr 2, 1987: Eagleb AX7, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. The balloon struck powerlines during an aborted landing attempt. Occupants were not wearing required equipment.

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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