Cameron Z90 N982ZS accident near Morrill, Nebraska

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper inflight fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an inability to avoid contact with power lines.

NTSB analysis

The balloon was participating in a festival, and departed from a grass field with the private pilot and two passengers on board. The balloon climbed to 1,100 ft above ground level and drifted west. The pilot reported that, as the balloon approached a set of power lines, the wind diminished and the balloon became stationary. The pilot changed altitude several times in an attempt to find wind velocity and direction that would move the balloon away from the lines; however, as he again engaged the burners and attempted to climb, the burner system ran out of fuel. The balloon descended, and one of the metal carabiners that attached the basket to the envelope struck a power line, resulting in a spark. The pilot pulled the deflation valve and immediately descended the balloon to the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed impact and thermal arcing damage to the carabiner. Two of the envelope panels exhibited thermal damage, and the envelope temperature sensor wire, which runs from the top of the envelope to the instruments in the basket, was burnt in half. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the balloon.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA352 for the full record.