Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The balloon had just taken off from the airport as part of a balloon rally. The pilot said that the balloon was about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and that he was checking his flight instruments when the balloon encountered a “false lift condition” and settled on top of the rotating beacon tower on the airport. The balloon envelope was torn open, deflating the envelope, and the basket settled on the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed substantial damage to the top one-third of the envelope's fabric and load tapes. No preaccident anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
Source record
Factual narrative
The balloon had just taken off from the airport as part of a balloon rally. The pilot said that he was about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and was checking his flight instruments when the balloon encountered a false lift condition and it settled on top of the rotating beacon tower on the airport. The balloon envelope was torn open deflating the envelope and the basket settled on the ground. The pilot and the 2 passengers on board exited the basket unharmed. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed substantial damage to the top one-third of the envelope's fabric and load tapes. No other anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident were winds out of the west at 6 knots, scattered clouds at 4,700 feet and 10 statute miles visibility.