NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX86LA359
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL ADVERTISING FLIGHT ACROSS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON UP-SLOPING TERRAIN. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEPER THAN ANTICIPATED & THE PLT BECAME DISTRACTED. THE PLT FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE PILOT LIGHT TO THE LEFT BURNER. WHEN THE BALLOON DESCENDED ON THE GONDOLA DURING THE TOUCHDOWN SEQUENCE. THE OPERATING PILOT LIGHT IGNITED RESIDUAL FUEL IN THE FUEL LINE. THE FIRE SPREAD & THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1986_LAX86LA359.txt.
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