Summary
On May 23, 1998, a Aerostar S81A (N7165E) was involved in an accident near Strasburg, PA. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries, 6 minor injuries, with 3 people uninjured out of 11 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A fire of undetermined origin.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC98LA114. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7165E.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A fire of undetermined origin.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC98LA114