HOUSTON, TX, USA
N6081L
EAGLE BALLOONS EAGLE C-7
THE PLT STATED THAT THE WX AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS SCATTERED CLOUDS BETWEEN 150-650 FT AGL WITH A DEFINITE CEILING AT 650 FT (BROKEN). VISIBILITY WAS 1 MI WITH RAPIDLY FORMING FOG LAYER. THE PLT DESCENDED WITH THE INTENTION OF LANDING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HE SAW THE POWERLINES & IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE PRESSURE TOP & CONTACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FT FROM THE POWERLINES. HOWEVER, THE BALLOON DRAGGED ABOUT 80 FT & THE PYROMETER WIRE ON TOP OF THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE LOWEST POWERLINE. A PATH TO GROUND WAS MADE THROUGH THE PYROMETER CABLE/LINES, UPRIGHT LINES, FUEL TANK & SUPPORT CABLES. THE INSTANTANEOUS CHARGE (TO GROUND) SPLIT THE ENVELOPE DOWN THE PYROMETER WIRE, BLEW CONVERTING PINS OUT OF THEBURNER & UPRIGHT SUPPORTS, & SENT THE HIGH VOLTAGE/CURRENT FLOW INTO THE BASKET.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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