# NTSB CHI82DA325: Cameron 0-77, N89MW, Wall Lake, MI, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1982, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Wall Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 42.32973, -83.700355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3297&lon=-83.7004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA325

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT, HE ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED LIGHT TURBULENCE AND ELECTED TO LAND AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE SPOT. HE STATED THAT DURING A LANDING APPROACH AT ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE TREETOPS, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED THAT FORCED HOT AIR OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE BALLOON. REPORTEDLY, THE BALLOON THEN BEGAN A DESCENT THAT THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP BEFORE HITTING TREES. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 210 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 17 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89MW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89MW), registered now, S/N 316 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON 0-77
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons O-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-o-77) (registry code 1880108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 316
- Airframe hours: 72
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian T. Ellar
- Registered owner: Brian T. Ellar
- Departed: ANN ARBOR, MI
- Destination: ANN ARBOR, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820822042559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820822042559A), Aug 22, 1982: Camron O77, Wall Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Gusty wind allowed hot air to escape balloon during landing approach. Landed in trees short of open field.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.