# NTSB CHI83LA318: Barnes AX-7, N1515K, Utica, MI, July 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1983, 20:30 local (Jul 17, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Utica, MI
- Location: 42.6287° N, 83.0233° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Utica, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6287&lon=-83.0233&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A DELAYED DECISION TO LAND AND LANDED WITHIN A FEW FT OF WIRES WITHOUT SEEING THEM. THE GROUND CREW TRIED TO HOLD HIM BUT THE BALLOON STILL HAD TOO MUCH LIFT. THE STUDENT THEN SAW THE WIRES AND TRIED TO GO OVER THEMBUT THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE STUDENT JUMPED FROM ABOUT 30 FT UP AS THE BALLOON FREED ITSELF FROM THE WIRES, FLOATED ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1515K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1515K-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 10337, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNES AX-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10337
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Pini II
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1983
- Departed: ROCHESTER, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 15 nm away

## 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 19830716035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830716035669A), Jul 16, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Utica, MI, Substantial damage. Balloon drifted into wires after touchdown. Student pilot jumped from gondola. Balloon burned.

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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