# NTSB CHI84LA388: Avian Balloon AX8, N7003Q, Canton, OH, September 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1984, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Canton, OH
- Coordinates: 40.820068, -81.44075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8201&lon=-81.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA388

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, dual student (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - lift-off - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT AND PASSENGER (STUDENT BALLOON PILOT) ELECTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD RATHER THAN OVERFLY DENSELY POPULATED AREA AND POWER LINES, ON TOUCHDOWN, WIND LIFTED BALLOON SLIGHTLY AND CAUSED DRIFT. AS STUDENT PLT WAS OPERATING ENVELOPE VENT, SHE FELL OUT OF THE BASKET.LOSS OF LOAD CAUSED BALLOON TO RISE FASTER THAN PLT COULD VENT FOR RE-LANDING. BALLOON DRIFTED INTO POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7003Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7003Q-2007-03-12), registration cancelled 2007-03-12, S/N 123, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAN BALLOON AX8
- Registry model: [Avian Balloon SKYHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/avian-balloon-skyhawk) (registry code 0900104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 123
- Airframe hours: 71
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dawn Melton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CAK, CANTON, OH
- Airport: CAK, Akron-Canton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 64 total, 64 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 6 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 19840929073929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840929073929A), Sep 29, 1984: Avianw SKYHAWK, Canton, OH, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused balloon gondola to drag after landing. Passenger fell out. Vented balloon but drifted into wires.

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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