AUSTELL, GA, USA
N2484S
Head Balloons, Inc. AX7-77
WHILE FLYING AT A LOW ALT LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE LANDING AREA THE PLT NOTICED POWER LINES AT A HIGHER ALT. PLT INITIALLYAPPLIED HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE TO TRY AND CLIMB ABOVE THE WIRES, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REALIZE THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES. PLT THEN ADVISED PAX SHE WOULD HAVE TO 'DUMP IT' AND BEGAN TO PULL THE CORD TO OPEN THE ENVELOPE DEFLATION VALVE IN ORDER TO LAND SHORT OF THE WIRES. ONE OF THE PAX, WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM THE PLT, REPORTEDLY USED THE BURNER TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE BASKET UPRIGHTS AND THE CABLES IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE BASKET CONTACTED THE WIRES AT AN ALT OF APRX 40 FT AGL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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