LAX88LA276

Factual narrative

THE PILOT & PAX DEPARTED ON A LOCAL AREA BALLOON FLT. AFTER 30 MINUTES THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT TO AN OPEN FEILD NORTH OF SOME POWER LINES. DURING THE DESCENT THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HIS GROUND CREW DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BALLOON WAS 5-7 FT NORTH OF THE POWER LINES THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE MIGHT CONTACT THE WIRES. HE APPLIED FULL BURNER, BUT TO NO AVAIL; THE BALLOON'S GONDALA STRUCK THE POWER LINES. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12