Cameron Balloons Us Z-105 N4019A

Summary

On 16 March 2013 at about 14:00 local time, a Cameron Balloons Us Z-105 registered N4019A, operated by Aarons Balloon Co LLC, was involved in an accident near Homestead, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 March 2013 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Homestead, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Homestead General (X51)

Coordinates

25.4842, -80.5339

Aircraft

Cameron Balloons Us Z-105

Registration

N4019A

Category

Balloon

Operator

Aarons Balloon Co LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redland → Homestead

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA169

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid obstructions during the approach to land, which resulted in a collision with power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the sightseeing flight was at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above ground level. However, the passengers said that during the last mile of the flight, the basket brushed the tree tops, and impacted a power line. An eyewitness’s photograph showed the balloon at a low altitude over a nearby farm field. The pilot stated that he was aware of and knew where the power lines were and both passengers stated that the ground crew warned him of the approaching power lines over the radio. The pilot reported that the balloon encountered a downdraft that resulted in the balloon's basket contacting the power line. A review of several nearby recorded weather observations did not reveal any indication of any abrupt wind changes or formation of any adverse weather conditions. A high-resolution weather observation at the intended landing destination, which was about 1 mile from the accident site indicated a light and variable wind was present. Based on this recorded information, at the time of the accident, it is unlikely that a downdraft or other adverse weather conditions existed at or around the time of the accident. It is probable that the pilot, who was aware of the power lines, did not maintain adequate vigilance and failed to recognize the impending collision with the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.