Cameron Balloons Z-90 N401DJ
7 June 2012 · Sellersburg, Indiana, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 June 2012 at about 00:50 local time, a Cameron Balloons Z-90 registered N401DJ, operated by Dallas I. Beall III, was involved in an accident near Sellersburg, Indiana, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sellersburg, Indiana, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.4333, -85.8667
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons Z-90
- Registration
- N401DJ
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Dallas I. Beall III
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Memphis → Sellersburg
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN12CA347
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
The balloon pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Passengers in the balloon reported that the balloon initially landed in an unmowed field that wasn't easily accessible by ground vehicles. They reported that the pilot decided to move the balloon to an adjacent field. The passengers noted that there was a fence and power lines that had to be crossed to get to the field. There were 3 lines on the power line poles, 2 of which were thinner and not as visible. The passengers reported that the balloon was traveling into the setting sun and that they believed the pilot only saw the lower, more visible power line. The passengers reported that when the balloon struck the power line a large arc ensued, and the pilot was thrown rearward into one of the passengers. The pilot was unconscious, and the passengers were able to deflate the balloon with verbal assistance from the ground crew. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the accident after the initial landing. Postaccident inspection of the balloon revealed no preimpact defects and minor damage.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cameron Balloons Z-90 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Aug 2004 | Cameron Balloons Z-90 | Dover, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Mar 2021 | Cameron Balloons Z-90 | Celina, Texas, United States | RET Richard V | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 2022 | Cameron Balloons Z-90 | Burlington, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 2001 | Cameron Balloons Z-90 | Mcintosh, New Mexico, United States | Michael P. Collins | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 2012 | Piper PA-28-140 | Boonville, Indiana, United States | JF Aircraft LLC | No injuries | - |
| 29 Sep 2012 | Jabiru Usa Sport J170-SP | Goshen, Indiana, United States | Jabiru Horizons LLC | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 2012 | Ryan NAVION | Rockville, Indiana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Dec 2012 | Piper PA 46-350P | Greensburg, Indiana, United States | Donald P. Horan | Fatal | 4 |
| 11 Jun 2012 | Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 2012 | Cirrus SR22 | Gary, Indiana, United States | Gandy Air LLC | Fatal | 2 |