# Accident 20021023030349A: Avianw SKYHAWK, Cottageville, WV, October 23, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 23, 2002, 17:00 local time
- Place: Cottageville, WV
- Damage: Minor damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.8667° N, 81.8142° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8667&lon=-81.8142&mi=10
- Aircraft: N71AV, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71AV-2013-10-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Avian Balloon SKYHAWK (registry code 0900104, https://openairdocs.org/model/avian-balloon-skyhawk) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIANW SKYHAWK
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA013) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021023030349A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON OCTOBER 23, 2002, ABOUT 1700 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, AN AVIAN BALLOONS SKYHAWK, N71AV, WAS NOT DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A DESCENT TO LAND NEAR COTTAGEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA. THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, WHILE THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR, AS THE BALLOON WAS DESCENDING TO A FIELD, THE PILOT OBSERVED POWER LINES IN THE DECENT PATH. BEFORE STRIKING THE POWER LINES, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER JUMPED FROM THE BALLOON. THE BALLOON STRUCK THE POWER LINES AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE RECORDED WEATHER AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, INCLUDED WINDS FROM 100 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS. (-23) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE PILOT OBSERVED A HORSE IN THE ANTICIPATED TOUCH DOWN AREA AND ELECTED TO ASCEND FOR ANOTHER SUITABLE LANDING AREA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE ASCENT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER OBSERVED POWER LINES AND FELT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER THEM. BOTH PILOT AND PA                                                          SSENGER ELECTED TO BAIL OUT OF THE BALLOON, PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH THE POWER LINES, AT APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET AGL. THE PILOT SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEFT ANKLE AND A BACK SPRAIN. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC03LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA013), Oct 23, 2002: Avian Balloon Skyhawk (N71AV), Cottageville, WV, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision not to over fly the landing area, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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