Primary finding
Probable cause
an in-flight collision with a tree. A factor in this accident was high wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The balloon was tethered with a three-point, 3/4-inch rope top harness system, anchored on the upwind sides to two trees and on the downwind side to a truck. The last four passengers boarded, and the pilot was waiting for the wind speed to decrease when the balloon was suddenly launched on its own and was thrown to the top of the harness, about 80 feet, in less then 2 seconds. The pilot initiated emergency procedures, but was unsuccessful in bringing the balloon back to the ground, because the force of the wind was pushing the balloon upward. The two upwind lines broke leaving the balloon dangling about 100 feet in the air over power lines. After 30 seconds the downwind line broke initiating free flight. The pilot was able to stabilize the balloon enough to initiate an emergency landing. The balloon impacted with trees about 1/8 of a mile downwind of the original tether site.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 26, 2000, about 1200 eastern daylight time, an Aerostar S57-A balloon, N6341V, registered to a private individual impacted with trees during an emergency landing, while on a local sightseeing flight near Windermere, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The balloon received substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot and four passengers reported no injuries. According to the pilot, the balloon was tethered with a three-point, 3/4-inch rope top harness system, anchored on the upwind sides to "two solid" old growth trees and on the downwind side to a truck. After several passengers were taken up without incident the last four passengers boarded. The pilot was waiting for a subsidence in wind when the balloon was suddenly launched on its own by "false lift" and was thrown to the top of the harness, about 80 feet, in less than 2 seconds. The pilot initiated vent top emergency "rip-out" procedures, but was unsuccessful in bringing the balloon back to the ground in this manner, because the force of the wind was pushing the balloon upward. The two upwind lines "snapped" leaving the balloon dangling about 100 feet in the air over power lines. The pilot stated, the power lines made "further 'rip-out' options too dangerous to consider." After 30 seconds the downwind line "snapped initiating free flight." The pilot was able to stabilize the balloon enough to initiate an emergency landing. The balloon impacted with trees about 1/8 mile downwind of the original tether site.