Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 150A accident near Indianola, Iowa, July 30, 2022
On July 30, 2022 at about 10:20 am local time, a 2018 Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 150A (balloon), registered N316EB, suffered minor damage in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Indianola, Iowa (Memorial Balloon Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2022 · about 10:20 am local time
- Place
- Indianola, Iowa · Memorial Balloon Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 150A, built 2018
- Registration
- N316EB · registry record · serial 5651
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while maneuvering the balloon for a pre-dawn hot air balloon flight, the balloon struck a power line that he did not see. The contact created an on-board fire, which resulted in serious injuries to two passengers. The pilot was able to land safety in a grass field.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during emergency descent
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,140 hours in all; 205 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: June 1, 2021
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 11, 2022
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: None Indianola IA at 10:20 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 3017.00 inHg
Weather report (METAR): KDSM 300954Z 15003KT 10SM CLR 18/13 A3017 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 15, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.