COLUMBUS, OH, USA
N3589J
Aerostar S-60A
THE BALLOON DEPARTED FROM A FIELD ABOUT 4 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES SAW THE BALLOON DRIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AT LOW ALTITUDE. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THAT AS THE BALLOON NEARED A 1029 FT TALL TV ANTENNA, IT BEGAN TO ASCEND RAPIDLY & ITS HORIZONTAL SPEED INCREASED. HOWEVER, THE BALLOONS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE TOP OF THE ANTENA. BOTH THE ENVELOPE & GONDOLA FELL INTO A WOODED AREA. A WEATHER STUDY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE INVERSION & THAT THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED FROM ABOUT 4 KTS AT THE SURFACE TO ABOUT 13 KTS AT 3000 FT MSL.
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TEMPERATURE INVERSION WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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