Summary
On July 04, 1996, a Aerostar RX-8 (N7155N) was involved in an accident near Canton, MS. The accident resulted in 3 serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from the tower.
On July 4, 1996, about 0725 central daylight time, an Aerostar International RX-8 balloon, N7155N, registered to a private individual, collided with a tower and crashed to the ground near Canton, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The balloon received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. The flight originated from Canton, Mississippi, the same day about 0700.
The pilot stated that after takeoff they climbed to about 1,000 feet. After 15 minutes they descended to about 500 feet and began moving to the south of a 495 foot tower. They passed the tower and as they did the balloon climbed about 50 feet.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA96LA177. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7155N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from the tower.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 4, 1996, about 0725 central daylight time, an Aerostar International RX-8 balloon, N7155N, registered to a private individual, collided with a tower and crashed to the ground near Canton, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The balloon received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. The flight originated from Canton, Mississippi, the same day about 0700.
The pilot stated that after takeoff they climbed to about 1,000 feet. After 15 minutes they descended to about 500 feet and began moving to the south of a 495 foot tower. They passed the tower and as they did the balloon climbed about 50 feet. They encountered a wind which blew them back into the tower. The balloon collided with the tower and the envelope was pierced. The balloon began to descend and he attempted to heat what was left of the envelope. The balloon impacted with a tree and then the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA96LA177