Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Failure by the pilot to keep the burner operating until the balloon was secured. A factor was the passengers disregarding the instructions they had been given by the pilot.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 9, 2000, at 0815 mountain daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly F-15, N2571F, sustained substantial damage at Anthony, New Mexico, when it drifted into power lines following landing. The private pilot and her two passengers were not injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, the passengers disregarded her instructions and exited the basket before the balloon was secured following landing. The burners had been shut down and the valves placed in the off position. The pilot said that when the passengers disembarked, the decrease in weight caused the balloon to rise and it drifted into nearby power lines. The lines arced and caused fire damage to the envelope. The pilot remained in the basket until it came to rest.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN00LA071