# NTSB CHI82DA197: Adams A55, N1062S, Fritchton, IN, May 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1982, 19:50 local (May 31, 1982, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Fritchton, IN
- Location: 38.6803° N, 87.4231° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fritchton, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6803&lon=-87.4231&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER. A DESCENT WAS INITIATED BUT THE PILOT WAS WAVED OFF BY THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. THE PILOT REGAINED ALTITUDE AND LANDED IN A CORN FIELD. A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE BALLOON TO DRIFT, THE BASKET WAS DRUG 200 FEET AND THE ENVELOPE COLLIDED WITH A GRAIN STORAGE BIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1062S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1062S), registered now, S/N 082, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADAMS A55
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A55S](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55s) (registry code 0050105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 082
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy Schafer
- Registered owner: Randy Schafer
- Departed: VINCENNES, IN
- Destination: VINCENNES, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; medical: unknown; flight hours: 47 total, 47 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 178 °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 19820530025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820530025589A), May 30, 1982: Adams A55S, Frichton, IN, Substantial damage. Balloon caught in gusty winds during landing. Pilot claims weather was not forecast.

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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