# NTSB CHI90LA225: Cameron N120, N6092K, Mottville, MI, August 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1990, 21:00 local (Aug 27, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Mottville, MI
- Coordinates: 41.790637, -85.640884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7906&lon=-85.6409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA225

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DECENT RATE DURING LANDING AND HIS DECISION TO INITIATE THE FLIGHT IN HIGH WINDS CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - balloon equipment,burner system - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON FLIGHT WAS LAUNCHED IN HIGH WINDS. DURING THE FLIGHT THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED LOW ALTITUDE WIND SHEAR. WHILE APPROACHING TO LAND THE WIND SHEAR AND HIGH WIND SPEED STILL PREVAILED AND CAUSED THE BALLOON TO DESCEND RAPIDLY. THE BALLOON PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE DESCENT SUFFICIENTLY DUE TO LOW PROPANE FUEL PRESSURE FOR THE BALLOONS BURNER. THE BALLOON BASKET COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A HARD LANDING TOUCHDOWN. ONE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6092K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6092K), registered now, S/N 5513, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON N120
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons U S N 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-u-s-n-120) (registry code 1880228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5513
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Jay A. Krull
- Registered owner: Elkhart Balloon Port
- Departed: ELKHART, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; flight hours: 322 total, 159 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900826038209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900826038209A), Aug 26, 1990: Camron N120, Mottville, MI, Minor damage. Basket tipped over on hard, high wind landing. Seriously injured passenger.

## Other investigations on N6092K (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI92LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA096), Oct 19, 1991: Cameron N120 (N6092K), Goshen, IN, no damage. Probable cause: AN IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

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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