# NTSB CHI81DEC02: Piccard AX-6, N2454Z, Metamora, MI, October 23, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 23, 1980
- Place: Metamora, MI · METAMORA, MI
- Location: 42.9455° N, 83.2930° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Metamora, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9455&lon=-83.2930&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81DEC02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEC02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3137  80/10/23   METAMORA,MI         PICCARD AX-6        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 101
        TIME - 1830                    N2454Z              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          METAMORA,MI                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - TOUCH AND GO LANDING
        REMARKS- HIT PWR LNS,WIRES CUT THRU THE GONDALA SUPPORT CABLES,GONDOLA W OCCUPANTS FELL APRX 15FT TO GND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2454Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2454Z-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 454, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [General Balloon AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/general-balloon-ax-6) (registry code 3760202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801023061499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801023061499A), Oct 23, 1980: Picard AX6, Metamora, MI, Substantial damage. Struck wires on landing approach. Wires severed gondola from balloon. Gondola dropped 15 feet to ground.

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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