# NTSB CHI84LA015: Adams AB, N4022K, Wyoming, MI, October 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1983, 19:26 local (23:26 UTC)
- Place: Wyoming, MI
- Coordinates: 42.900173, -85.690269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9002&lon=-85.6903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wind information - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, BOUNCED, HIT A HOUSE AND A UTILITY POLE BEFORE BEING TORN ENOUGH TO COME TO REST. THE HARD LANDING IN AN 8 KT WIND TORE THE VENT LINE FROM THE PILOTS HAND, HE LOST THE ABILITY TO VENT THE BALLOON AND DURING THE COLLISIONS AND DRAGGING HE LOST 2 STRIKERS HE WANTED TO USE TO RELIGHT THE BURNER PILOT LIGHTS. THE PARTIALLYDEFLATED BALLOON BECAME A SAIL AND DRAGGED THE BASKET UNTIL THE POLE AND WIRES RIPPED THE ENVELOPE TWO FULL GORE LENGTHSAND IT DEFLATED AFTER TRAVELING 300 FT FURTHER. FIVE OF THE SIX PEOPLE ON BOARD WERE NOT INJURED. ONE RECEIVED A BROKEN ANKLE WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY. THE BALLOON FLIGHT LASTED ABOUT ONE HOUR AND 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE LANDING ATTEMPT WHICH ENDED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4022K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4022K), registered now, S/N 127, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADAMS AB
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A B](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a-b) (registry code 0050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 127
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald V. Korsky
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CANNONSBURG, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 10 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 19831008053619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831008053619A), Oct 8, 1983: Adams AB, Wyoming, MI, Substantial damage. Balloon collided with house and powerlines during landing causing injury to one 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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