# NTSB WPR12CA173: Lindstrand LBL180A, N49CD, Temecula, CA, February 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2012, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Temecula, CA - Coordinates: 33.531665, -117.050003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5317&lon=-117.0500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 83428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83428/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83428 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA173 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to see and avoid a set of power lines while maneuvering to a landing site. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=5180003), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot launched from a field with eight passengers for a commercial hot air balloon flight. He planned to conduct a 60-minute flight, followed by a landing at one of the operator's known landing areas. According to the pilot, about 50 minutes into the flight, he initiated an approach for landing at one of the planned locations,and, during the descent, he obtained an automated weather observation from an airport located about 6 miles to the northwest. During the approach, the pilot determined that the wind speed and direction would not permit a landing at his first intended site. He added heat, leveled out about 50 feet above ground level, and headed for a second landing site. As he neared that site, another pilot who had landed at that site advised him that the wind had increased, so he decided to continue to a third landing site. During the climb and transit to the third site, the balloon struck some electrical wires. The balloon remained entangled in the wires for a few seconds and then descended to the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon revealed that 3 of the 12 cables between the basket and the envelope were severed, 3 cables under the basket were severed, and 14 fabric panels received various amounts of damage. The pilot stated that he had been subjected to "target fixation" on the third landing site, and did not see the power lines. ## Factual narrative About 0715 the pilot launched from a field with eight passengers for a commercial hot air balloon flight. He planned to conduct an approximate 60-minute-long flight, followed by a landing at one of the operator's known landing areas. According to the pilot, about 0805 he initiated an approach for landing at the planned location, and during the descent, he obtained an automated weather observation from an airport located about 6 miles to the northwest. That report stated a wind direction of 020 degrees, and a wind speed of 5 knots. During the approach, the pilot determined that the wind speed and direction would not permit a landing at his first intended site. He added heat, leveled out at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), and headed for a second landing site. As he neared that site, another pilot who had landed at that site advised him that the wind had picked up, and the pilot then decided to continue to a third landing site. During the climb and transit to the third site, the balloon struck some electrical wires, which the pilot did not see. The balloon remained entangled in the wires for a few seconds, and then descended to the ground. All passengers, and then the pilot, exited the basket safely. Post-landing examination of the balloon revealed that 3 of the 12 cables between the basket and the envelope were severed, 3 cables under the basket were severed, and 14 fabric panels received various amounts of damage. In his written statement to the NTSB, the pilot stated that he had been subject to "target fixation" on the third landing site, and therefore did not see the power lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49CD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49CD), registered now, S/N 025, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LINDSTRAND LBL180A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Lindstrand Balloons 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lindstrand-balloons-180a) (registry code 5180003) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 025 - Airframe hours: 1391 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: David Lee Bradley Productions Inc, doing business as California Dreamin' Balloon Adventures - Registered owner: David Lee Bradley Productions Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 2011 - Departed: Temecula, CA - Destination: F70, Temecula, CA - Airport: F70, French Valley Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review May 20, 2011; flight hours: 306 total, 191 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: F70, 6 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83428. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Balloon and Damage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Balloon%20and%20Damage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Bottom of Basket (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bottom%20of%20Basket-Master.PDF - Severed cable (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Severed%20cable-Master.PDF - Damaged Cable Links (item 5, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damaged%20Cable%20Links-Master.PDF 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.