# NTSB NYC98LA114: Aerostar S81A, N7165E, Strasburg, PA, May 23, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1998, 05:50 local (09:50 UTC)
- Place: Strasburg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.979251, -76.179504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9793&lon=-76.1795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 6 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA114

## Probable cause

A fire of undetermined origin.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing
  - balloon equipment - undetermined (cause)
  - balloon equipment - fire

## Analysis

The balloon experienced a fire while preparing for takeoff.  The pilot stated that after the accident, he shut off the balloon's propane tanks, and tried tightening all the propane fittings to prevent another fire.  Examination of the balloon's fuel delivery and storage systems did not reveal the fire's fuel source.

## Factual narrative

On May 23, 1998, at 0550 eastern daylight time, an Aerostar International, S81A, N7165E, experienced a flash fire, during preparation for takeoff from Smoketown Airport, Strasburg, Pennsylvania.  Two passengers received serious injuries.  The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers received minor injuries.  The three remaining passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the commercial balloon ride being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated the accident occurred while warming the balloon for takeoff.  He also stated that after the accident, he shut off the balloon's propane tanks and tried to tighten all the propane fittings to prevent another fire.  He made no mention of finding any loose fittings.

At 0550, the Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, report calm winds.  A witness at the launch site also reported the winds as calm.

On May 28, 1998, at Lancaster Balloonport, Inc., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, all three burners and all three propane tanks were examined under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector.  According to the inspector's field notes, when the fuel system was pressurized only a "minor" leak was observed from one of manifolds and one of the burner's hose fittings.  Two of the propane tank's spit valves expelled fuel when opened, and one of the tanks was approximately a half gallon low of propane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7165E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S81A
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S81A-3004
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: David W. Gaither
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1997, 27 hours before
- Departed: 37PA
- Airport: 37PA, Smoketown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 950 total, 930 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 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 19980523026879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980523026879A), May 23, 1998: Aerstr S81A, Smoketown, PA. (.4) The balloon experienced a fire while preparing for takeoff. The pilot stated that after the accident, he shut off the balloon's propane tanks, and tried…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.