DURANGO, CO, USA
N35773
Aerostar RX7
AFTER LIFTING THE BALLOON OUT OF THE CANYON, THE PILOT BEGAN LOOKING FOR A LANDING SITE IN THE FLATS ABOVE THE CANYON RIM. THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DESCEND AND DESPITE A LONG BURN, THE DESCENT CONTINUED. IN AN EFFORT TO MISS THE POWER LINES, THE PILOT RIPPED OUT THE TOP BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE PILOT CONCLUDED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A ROTOR GENERATED BY WINDS IN THE CANYON FORCING THE BALLOON TO THE GROUND. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRES HAD BEEN VISIBLE FOR AN 'EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.'
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. FACTORS WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE FLIGHT PATH.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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