[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85267-85268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28382]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD


Investigative Hearing

    On July 30, 2016 at 7:42 a.m. central daylight time, a Kubicek 
BB85Z hot air balloon, operated by Heart of Texas Balloons, 
registration N2469L, impacted electrical transmission lines and crashed 
into a pasture near Lockhart,

[[Page 85268]]

TX. The pilot and 15 passengers were fatally injured by impact and 
fire. The balloon was destroyed. Witness and weather observation 
information indicated low clouds and fog in the general area. The 
flight was a commercial sightseeing tour flight, operated under the 
provisions of 14 CFR part 91.
    The investigative hearing is being held to discuss the 
circumstances of the accident flight and safety issues regarding 
commercial balloon tour operations. Areas that will be discussed 
include operations of large passenger carrying balloons, balloon pilot 
training and decision-making, weather factors relevant to accident, FAA 
regulation and oversight of commercial balloons, tour operator best 
practices, and medical factors and certification requirements relevant 
to the accident.
    Parties to the hearing include the Federal Aviation Administration, 
the Balloon Federation of America, and Kubicek Balloons.

Order of Proceedings

1. Opening Statement by the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry
2. Introduction of the Board of Inquiry and Technical Panel
3. Introduction of the Parties to the Hearing
4. Introduction of Exhibits by Hearing Officer
5. Overview of the incident and the investigation by Investigator-In-
Charge
6. Calling of Witnesses by Hearing Officer
7. Closing Statement by the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry
    Additional information can be found on the Web at: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/2016-balloon-inv-hearing.aspx.
    The accident docket is DCA16MA204.
    The Investigative Hearing will be held in the NTSB Board Room and 
Conference Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza E. SW., Washington, 
DC, on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. The public can view the 
hearing in person or by live Webcast at www.ntsb.gov. Webcast archives 
are generally available by the end of the next day following the 
hearing, and Webcasts are archived for a period of 3 months from after 
the date of the event.
    Individuals requesting specific accommodations should contact Ms. 
Rochelle McCallister at (202) 314-6305 or by email at 
[email protected] byWednesday, November 30, 2016.
    NTSB Media Contact: Mr. Eric [email protected].
    NTSB Investigative Hearing Officer: Mr. William English_
[email protected]

    Dated: November 21, 2016.
Candi R. Bing,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-28382 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7533-01-P