# NTSB MIA96LA177: Aerostar RX-8, N7155N, Canton, MS, July 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1996, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Canton, MS
- Coordinates: 32.609947, -90.02983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6099&lon=-90.0298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA177

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from the tower.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tower
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

After takeoff, the balloon pilot made a climb to about 1,000 feet. Approximately 15 minutes later, he descended and was moving past the top of a 495 foot tower. As he was passing the tower, he attempted a climb; however, before climbing, the balloon encountered a wind change, which blew it toward the tower. The balloon collided with the tower, and the envelope ripped open. The balloon then entered an uncontrolled descent and collided with a tree and the ground.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1996, about 0725 central daylight time, an Aerostar International RX-8 balloon, N7155N, registered to a private individual, collided with a tower and crashed to the ground near Canton, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The balloon received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. The flight originated from Canton, Mississippi, the same day about 0700.

The pilot stated that after takeoff they climbed to about 1,000 feet. After 15 minutes they descended to about 500 feet and began moving to the south of a 495 foot tower. They passed the tower and as they did the balloon climbed about 50 feet. They encountered a wind which blew them back into the tower. The balloon collided with the tower and the envelope was pierced. The balloon began to descend and he attempted to heat what was left of the envelope. The balloon impacted with a tree and then the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7155N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7155N-1996-10-29), registration cancelled 1996-10-29, S/N RX83248 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-8
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX83248
- Airframe hours: 9
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Delancey
- Registered owner: Nancy Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 29, 1996, 9 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; flight hours: 290 total, 260 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 10 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 19960704016039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960704016039A), Jul 4, 1996: Arostr RX8, Canton, MS, Substantial damage. Collided with tower. Tore bag. Fell to ground. Blamed adverse winds.

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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