# NTSB ATL83LA325: Piccard AX-6, N16JF, Louisvile, KY, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 07:35 local (11:35 UTC)
- Place: Louisvile, KY
- Coordinates: 38.26966, -85.620361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2697&lon=-85.6204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA325

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - electrical tower(marked) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AT 0600 EDT & NOTED NOTHING SIGNIFICANT THAT WOULD BE A HAZARD TO FLT. HE PROCEEDED TO LONG RUN PARK, APRX 20 MI EAST OF LOUISVILLE, KY, TO LAUNCH THE BALLON. THERE WAS A 654 FOOT TOWER IN THE VICINITY, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THE NORTHERLY, 5 KT WIND WOULD CARRY THE BALLOON WELL CLEAR. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE BALLOON BEGAN PROCEEDING ON A PARALLEL COURSE, WELL CLEAR OF THE TOWER. IT THEN ENCOUNTERED A SUDDEN WIND-SHIFT & BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD THE TOWER WITH INCREASING SPEED. THE PLT ELECTED TO CLIMB TO AVOID THE TOWER. BOTH BLAST VALVES WERE OPENED TO CLIMB AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE & A CLIMB RATE OF 900 TO 1000 FT.MIN WAS OBTAINED. HOWEVER, THE WIND SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. AFTER REALIZING THAT AVOIDANCE WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE, HE SHUT OFF THE BLAST VALVES & PREPARED FOR A COLLISION. THE BALLOON STRUCK THE TOWER APRX 20 FT FROM THE TOP, THE PLT CLIMBED ONTO THE TOWER STAIRCASE & DESCENDED ON FOOT. THE BALLOON WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16JF-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 736, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 736
- Airframe hours: 322
- Engines: LYCOMING unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Freeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: LOUISVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 890 total, 542 in this make and model, 767 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 360 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 19830813040459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813040459A), Aug 13, 1983: Picard AX6, Louisville, KY, Destroyed. Balloonist encountered a sudden wind gust and change of direction which carried balloon into collision with a tower

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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