FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, USA
N7321R
Eagle Aircraft Co. C-7
THE BALLOON STRUCK POWERLINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A SUITABLE LDG SITE. THE PLT STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE BALLOON INTO THE WIRES & HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB TO AVOID THE WIRES PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH AT ABOUT 8 KTS & AT 6000 FT OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 KTS. THE BALLOON HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & WAS DRIFTING INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL REQUIRES THAT PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR BE WORN BY ALL OCCUPANTS DURING TAKE OFF & LDG. NONE WAS WEARING THE HEAD GEAR & NONE WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. AT LEAST ONE PAX SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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