ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 8

Rare Electrocution Due to Powerline Contact in a Hot-Air Balloon: Comparison with Fatalities from Blunt Trauma
Wahe, J
Assistant Medical Examiner, Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, MN

Haikal, NA-A
Medical Investigator, State of New Mexico, Office of the Medical Investigator, University of New Mexico Medical Center,

McFeeley, PJ
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, State of New Mexico, Office of the Medical Examiner, University of New Mexico Medical Center, NM

Zumwalt, RE
Chief Medical Investigator, State of New Mexico, Office of the Medical Investigator,

McConnell, TS
Professor, University of New Mexico Medical Center, NM

(Received 12 December 1991; accepted 4 February 1992)

Abstract

Powerline contact by hot-air balloons is one of the most frequent concurrences in balloon accidents resulting in injury or death. Injuries and deaths are usually a result of blunt trauma from falls. In this report, we describe the aircraft, the circumstances of the accidents and the autopsy data in two powerline contact accidents involving three deaths, one from electrocution and two, from blunt trauma sustained in falls. Appropriate pilot behavior is briefly discussed.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, electrocution, hot-air balloon accidents, blunt trauma

Paper ID: JFS13330J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13330J
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