N5285M

On February 15, 2003, at 1015 mountain standard time, an Aerostar S-71A balloon, N5285M, made a precautionary landing between power lines near the intersection of Jomax Street and Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. After landing, while the pilot and passengers were still inside the basket, the envelope struck a power line. A volt of electricity struck the wire pyrometer and sent electricity through the envelope and basket. The basket and envelope were substantially damaged. The certificated airline transport pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area sightseeing flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the corner of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard in Scottsdale, about 0830 the morning of the accident. The flight was scheduled to terminate in the same general location.

According to the pilot, he had received weather briefings from the Prescott Flight Service Station (FSS), Deer Valley Airport, and Scottsdale Airport (SDL). At the time of the accident, the pilot indicated that there were no winds, and he was using more fuel than normal due to the lack of winds.

In the pilot's written statement he stated that initially the flight was gong to depart from the Marriott Desert Ridge hotel. However, due to weather they moved the equipment closer to SDL for greater visibilities. There was a group of six balloons.

Once repositioned at the new takeoff site, the balloon pilots contacted SDL tower with their intended route of flight. The flight departed to the northwest. The pilot stated that some balloons went to the west. He stayed at a lower altitude, about 800 feet, and flew towards the north.

The pilot stated that his intention, because it was open desert, was to stay low and land to the northwest. As the flight proceeded to the north he crossed over a large power station, and then descended to land. Due to horses and riders, he continued the flight in an easterly direction. The balloon crossed over Scottsdale Road and approached high voltage lines. The pilot stated that the power lines ran along a northeast/southwest direction and there were four sets. When the balloon climbed, the pilot changed the direction of travel to the northeast.

The pilot stated that he was concerned about fuel. The balloon had burned 1.5 hours of fuel. He continued to cross the power lines at a 5-to 10-degree angle. He stated that he was not "making good progress crossing the lines." The balloon had crossed over three sets of power lines. Between the third and fourth set of power lines there was a large open space. He decided to make an "emergency landing between the lines." When the balloon came to a stop, the envelope touched the high voltage lines and arced to the ground. The pilot stated that he and the passengers did not feel voltage or sparks inside the basket.