# NTSB CHI83FA220: Schaffer-Provencher UW, N37SP, Stockbridge, MI, May 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1983, 20:20 local (May 18, 1983, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Stockbridge, MI
- Location: 42.4491° N, 84.1757° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stockbridge, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4491&lon=-84.1757&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA220

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON LANDED DOWNSLOPE AT ABOUT 7 KTS IN A RIP/DRAG LANDING WITHOUT GROUND ASSISTANCE. ONE OF THE TWO PASSENGERS WAS ON THE DOWNSLOPE SIDE OF THE BASKET FACING THE DIRECTION OF LANDING. SHE LOST HER GRIP ON THE TOP RAIL OF THE BASKETDURING TOUCHDOWN AND GOT HER ARM CAUGHT BETWEEN GROUND AND BASKET. HER ARM WAS BROKEN DURING THE 15 YARD DRAG. PILOT'S RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED BETTER BRIEFING OF PASSENGERS ON HAND HOLDS AND POSITIONING UPWIND AWAY FROM LANDING DIRECTION IN BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37SP-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N SPB3, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schaffer-Provencher UW
- Registry model: [Schaffer & Provencher UNCLE WIGGLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/schaffer-provencher-uncle-wiggly) (registry code 05637F4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Airframe hours: 103
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Schaffer David F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CHELSEA, MI
- Destination: NONE, STOCKBRIDGE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 479 total, 80 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 167° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 17 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830517021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830517021129A), May 17, 1983: Amtr UNCLEWIGGLY, Stockbridge, MI, Substantial damage. Balloon landed on downhill slope in high weeds injuring passenger.

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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