# NTSB DEN82FTE18: Avian Balloon Skyhawk, N72AV, Longmont, CO, April 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1982, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Location: 40.1682° N, 105.1005° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Longmont, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1682&lon=-105.1005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTE18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTE18

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOKOFF IN THE BALLOON WITH THREE PASSENGERS ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT. THE WIND WAS FROM 200 DEGREES AT 5 GUSTING 7 KNOTS. A LARGE FIELD WAS SELECTED FOR LANDING. WHILE USING A HIGH WIND LANDING PROCEDURE, THE GONDOLA TIPPED OVER DURING TOUCHDOWN. ONE PASSENGER FELL OUT AND FRACTURED A VERTEBRA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72AV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72AV-1997-11-07), registration cancelled 1997-11-07, S/N 72 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAN BALLOON SKYHAWK
- Registry model: [Avian Balloon SKYHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/avian-balloon-skyhawk) (registry code 0900104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 72
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Aeronauts Partnership
- Registered owner: Aeronauts Partnership
- Departed: BERTHAND, CO
- Destination: BERTHAND, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,798 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,686 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820424011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820424011029A), Apr 24, 1982: Avianw SKYHAWK, Longmont, CO. Passenger injured when balloon made hard landing in gusty wind. Gondola tipped over and passenger fell out.

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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