# NTSB NYC06CA022: Cameron Balloons O-90, N4066X, Bethlehem Twp., NJ, October 30, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 30, 2005, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bethlehem Twp., NJ
- Coordinates: 40.298313, -74.52079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2983&lon=-74.5208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Allentown, PA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA022

## Probable cause

The ground crewmember's inadvertent entanglement in the balloon's vent lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not successful, ground personnel (cause)
  - balloon equipment,control system - other

## Analysis

A ground crewmember was assisting in the inflation and launch of a hot air balloon.  Just prior to lift-off, as the pilot was adding heat for the climb out, the crewmember became entangled in the two vent lines that were draped outside of the balloon's basket. When the balloon lifted off, the crewmember was lifted approximately 75 feet above ground level.  The pilot attempted to lose altitude by venting hot air from the envelope, but was unable, as both vent lines were wrapped about the crewmember's right ankle. The pilot then attempted to get the crewmember closer to the ground by aiming at a small tree. The balloon struck the tree at a downward angle, the crewman became untangled, fell through a barn roof, and sustained serious injuries.

## Factual narrative

A ground crewmember was assisting in the inflation and launch of a hot air balloon.  Just prior to lift-off, as the pilot was adding heat for the climb out, the crewmember became entangled in the two vent lines that were draped outside of the balloon's basket. When the balloon lifted off, she was lifted approximately 75 feet above ground level.  The pilot attempted to lose altitude by venting hot air from the envelope, but was unable, as both vent lines were wrapped about the crewmember's right ankle. The pilot then attempted to get the crewmember closer to the ground by aiming at a small tree. The balloon struck the tree at a downward angle, the crewman became untangled, fell through a barn roof, and sustained serious injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4066X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4066X), registered now, S/N 6216, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron Balloons O-90
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US O-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-o-90) (registry code 1880271) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6216
- Airframe hours: 265
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A.Long
- Registered owner: John A. Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2005, 12 hours before
- Departed: Bethlehem, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review July 1, 2005; flight hours: 762 total, 762 in this make and model, 762 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: ABE

## 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 20051030026789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051030026789A), Oct 30, 2005: Camron O90, West Portal, NJ. (-23) While attempting to launch a hot air balloon, a ground crew member became entangled in two vent lines and was lifted off ground and transported 100…

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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