# NTSB ATL83FA001: Eagle C-7, N70014, Piedmont, SC, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Piedmont, SC
- Location: 34.7056° N, 82.4667° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Piedmont, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7056&lon=-82.4667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA001

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BALLOON WAS INFLATED WITH DIFFICULTY BECAUSE OF GUSTY WINDS.BALLOON DID NOT HAVE A SKIRT. DURING THE FLIGHT WHICH ENDED IN THE ACCIDENT THE BALLOON SEEMED TO HAVE TROUBLE AND DURING THE FINAL MOMENTS IT WAS IN A DESCENT WHICH ENDED WITH THE ENVELOPE AS A STREAMER UNTIL CONTACT WITH WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70014](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70014-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N E82728, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EAGLE C-7
- Registry model: [Eagle Balloons C-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/eagle-balloons-c-7) (registry code 3240207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: E82728
- Airframe hours: 25
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Abrams, Lawrence L.
- Registered owner: Eagle Balloons, Ltd
- Departed: C, PIEDMONT, SC
- Destination: C, PIEDMONT, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GMU, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821003052499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821003052499A), Oct 3, 1982: Eagleb EAGLEC7, Piedmont, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Student pilot carrying passengers allowed balloon to crash into high tension wires during landing.

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.

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