# NTSB ATL88LA204: Adams A55S, N9807N, Collierville, TN, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1988, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Collierville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.050617, -89.670562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0506&lon=-89.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - balloon equipment,basket - dumped (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - lack of

## Analysis

A MULTIPLE BALLOON FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED TO OBTAIN PUBLICITY FOR THE LOCAL BALLOON CLUB. TELEVISION EXPOSURE OF BALLOON FLIGHTS HAD BEEN SHOT AND THE BALLOONS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LANDING. THE REPORTER/PASSENGER IN THE ACCIDENT BALLOON HAD BEEN THROUGH ONE LANDING WHICH THE PILOT CHARACTERIZED AS TEXT BOOK. DURING THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, THE BASKET CONTACTED A SMALL RIDGE OF DIRT AT THE LANDING SITE AND THE BASKET LAID OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER FLIPPED OUT AND SUFFERED A HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF A VERTABRE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON NOR INJURY TO THE PRIVATE PILOT. THE WIND WAS LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9807N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9807N-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams A55S
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A55S](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55s) (registry code 0050105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 174
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Turnispeed, Micheal R.
- Registered owner: Michael R Turnipseed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1987, 26 hours before
- Departed: CGP, MARSHALL CO, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880629025409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880629025409A), Jun 29, 1988: Adams A55S, Collierville, TN. Balloon basket caught on a rut on landing and overturned. A passenger was thrown out and injured. Failed to hold on

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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