Head Balloons INC. AX8 105 - NO SERIES accident near Intercourse, Pennsylvania, April 12, 2015
On April 12, 2015 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2002 Head Balloons INC. AX8 105 - NO SERIES, registered N3099F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Intercourse, Pennsylvania. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain/location for takeoff in gusting wind conditions, resulting in a collision with a building, and substantial damage to the hot air balloon.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2015 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Intercourse, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Head Balloons INC. AX8 105 - NO SERIES, built 2002
- Registration
- N3099F · no longer on the register · serial 317
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the hot air balloon reported, "a gust of wind created a false lift effect on the balloon" during takeoff. The pilot's heat application to increase lift was insufficient to avoid colliding with a building. During the collision the hot air balloon sustained substantial damage to 44 of the 384 balloon panels. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the hot air balloon prior to flight that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Decision related to condition
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 495 hours in all; 227 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 495 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 6, 2015
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 370 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 13, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (none); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Intercourse PA at 10:33 pm
- Destination: Intercourse PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from LNS, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 22, 2015. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record of Weather Klns (1830 Edt) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photograph 1: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photograph 2: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photograph 3: Substantial Damage to Balloon Tiles (Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | 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.