Pilot Debrief

Cameron Balloons US N-77 near Plano, TX — 2008-09-21

Final reportDEN08LA158
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Date
2008-09-21
Location
Plano, TX, USA
Aircraft
Cameron Balloons US N-77
Registration
N4003P
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent hard landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, the pilot was participating in a hot-air balloon competition. The pilot called her ground crew while en route and reported that all three propane tanks were empty. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a parking lot and bounced three times before the balloon came to rest. She stated that the balloon's propane tanks had been filled the night prior to the accident flight and contained 30 gallons of fuel. The burner and fuel system consisted of three fuel tanks designated "master," "slave one," and "slave two." She advised that she flew on slave one until it was exhausted. She verified that the master tank contained fuel, then flew on slave two until it contained approximately 15 percent fuel remaining. Upon switching back to the master tank she noted that for an unknown reason, it too now contained approximately 15 per cent fuel remaining. She began looking for a suitable place for a forced landing. The basket sustained minor damage and the balloon envelope was not damaged. The pilot sustained a broken leg. An examination of the balloon systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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