Accident Investigation
Editor: In the preliminary NTSB report written regarding the recent tragic
Phoenix balloon accident, a sentence reads: “The balloon had recently undergone an
annual inspection by a skilled A&P mechanic and dealer for that particular brand of
balloon....”
This statement by the NTSB is incorrect. I have commented to the NTSB and requested a correction to the final report. I am the local Cameron Balloons US dealer in the Phoenix area and a certified repairman for Arizona Hot Air Repair. I do not have the qualifications of an A&P mechanic and did not participate in the current or recent annual performed by the skilled A&P Steve Trebor. In addition Steve Trebor is not a dealer for CBUS. To the contrary, I once owned the Cameron A-210 involved in the accident but sold it in August of 1994. I declined the current annual because of the potential conflict of interest associated with annualing an aged balloon I once owned. It was my recommendation that the owner take the balloon to Steve Trebor who is very qualified and does a fine job inspecting and repairing balloons, which he did. I did have the opportunity to fly the balloon after the inspection and found the balloon to be in airworthy condition. I also was requested by the NTSB to assist with the investigation as a “Cameron Balloon qualified person” which he was not. It is my belief that the NTSB investigator confused this variety of information that resulted in the incorrect statement. Although the annual inspection did not affect the accident, I feel it is important to correct this statement.
Bob Romaneschi
Mesa, Arizona