Lindstrand LBL180A accident near Temecula, California, February 17, 2012
On February 17, 2012 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Lindstrand LBL180A (balloon), registered N49CD, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Temecula, California (French Valley Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot failed to see and avoid a set of power lines while maneuvering to a landing site.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 17, 2012 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Temecula, California · French Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lindstrand LBL180A NO SERIES
- Registration
- N49CD · registry record · serial 025
- 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 launched from a field with eight passengers for a commercial hot air balloon flight. He planned to conduct a 60-minute flight, followed by a landing at one of the operator's known landing areas. According to the pilot, about 50 minutes into the flight, he initiated an approach for landing at one of the planned locations,and, during the descent, he obtained an automated weather observation from an airport located about 6 miles to the northwest. During the approach, the pilot determined that the wind speed and direction would not permit a landing at his first intended site. He added heat, leveled out about 50 feet above ground level, and headed for a second landing site. As he neared that site, another pilot who had landed at that site advised him that the wind had increased, so he decided to continue to a third landing site. During the climb and transit to the third site, the balloon struck some electrical wires. The balloon remained entangled in the wires for a few seconds and then descended to the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon revealed that 3 of the 12 cables between the basket and the envelope were severed, 3 cables under the basket were severed, and 14 fabric panels received various amounts of damage. The pilot stated that he had been subjected to "target fixation" on the third landing site, and did not see the power lines.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 306 hours in all; 191 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 270 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 20, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,391 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 18, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 3,586 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: David Lee Bradley Productions Inc
The flight
- Departed from: Temecula CA at 3:15 pm
- Destination: F70 Temecula CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from F70, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 8 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.