# NTSB DEN92LA021: Cameron V-77, N9517P, Littleton, CO, December 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1991, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Littleton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.539691, -104.960868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5397&lon=-104.9609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING PROCEDURE, INCLUDING WRONG COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND IMPROPER USE OF THE ENVELOPE DUMP CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS: HIGH WIND.

## Analysis

THE BALLOON PILOT SAID THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED AFTER HE HAD BEEN FLYING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND HE DECIDED TO MAKE A RAPID DESCENT TO LANDING. THE WINDS WERE STRONGER THAN HE ANTICIPATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO LEVEL OFF. A HARD LANDING RESULTED AND THE BALLOON WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE GROUND, DESPITE HAVING PULLED THE ENVELOPE DUMP VALVE. THE PILOT RELEASED THE CONTROL IN ORDER TO ASSIST A PASSENGER WHO WAS STRIKING HER HEAD ON THE GROUND. AN FAA BALLOON INSPECTOR SAID THE PILOT USED THE INCORRECT HIGH WIND LANDING PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9517P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9517P-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 5631 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cameron V-77
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US V-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-v-77) (registry code 1880206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 56341
- Airframe hours: 52
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David & Janet Woods
- Registered owner: David & Janet Woods
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1991, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; flight hours: 65 total, 65 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19911228062549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911228062549A), Dec 28, 1991: Camron V77CAMERON, Littleton, CO, Substantial damage. Landed,high wind. Bounced hard,basket dragged 200 feet on ground, tipped over, dumped passengers.

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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