Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 7, 1993 TAG: 9311070133
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RENO, NEV. LENGTH: Medium
Anchor bolts broke loose as workers were filling the lift balloon with more than 1 million cubic feet of helium. Crew chief Dave Melton quickly deflated the 18-story tall balloon to prevent a premature takeoff, sending it crashing to the ground.
Melton was in the control capsule that hangs beneath the lifting balloon. "We were up 60 to 90 feet. As soon as it hit, I jumped," he said.
The impact damaged the capsule and broke a line to a 450-gallon gasoline tank outside the compartment. There was no fire, and nobody was injured.
Captain Larry Newman said they have a spare helium balloon and the gas tank, but the setback would postpone another launch at least six to eight weeks.
The 300-foot-high hourglass-shaped aircraft consists of a balloon filled with helium, lifting a 10-by-24-foot crew cabin and a round air-filled anchor balloon hanging beneath.
Saturday's mishap was the latest in a series of misfortunes for the $7 million project.
Earthwinds' first launch attempt, in Akron, Ohio, was grounded by brisk winds in February 1992. Sponsors decided to gamble on this casino town, where stagnant air is common this time of year. The craft launched Jan. 12 but was carried 10 miles in the wrong direction, and Newman had to ditch after the bottom balloon grazed a mountain peak.
The craft needs to climb about 35,000 feet to meet up with the jet stream for an eastward ride at 75 mph to 100 mph. But it can't take off in winds stronger than 4 mph.
by CNB