# NTSB ERA21LA366: Sproul Keith A 83K-16, N83KX, Ryegate, VT, September 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 12, 2021, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Ryegate, VT - Coordinates: 44.187864, -72.151031 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1879&lon=-72.1510&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to secure himself to the balloon seat which resulted in a loss of control of the balloon. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 83K-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=05638MQ), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 83K-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05638MQ), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 83K-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05638MQ), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Sproul Keith A 83K-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05638MQ), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed early for a day of ballooning. As they approached the selected landing area, the pilot started a descent to slow the balloon in slower winds. As the balloon neared the treetops, the wind direction shifted slightly, which resulted in the balloon colliding with a tree. During the flight, and unbeknownst to the pilot, his lapbelt had become unsecured, and after the impact with the tree, he slid forward in the seat and held on to the uprights of the chair to prevent falling from the balloon. In this position the pilot could no longer control the balloon and remained holding onto the frame as the balloon went through the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the envelope and frame. The pilot reported that the balloon had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83KX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83KX), registered now, S/N S-005, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPROUL KEITH A 83K-16 - Registry model: [Sproul Keith A 83K-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/sproul-keith-a-83k-16) (registry code 05638MQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon, amateur-built - Serial number: S-005 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 140 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Condition, July 13, 2021 - Departed: 2B9, Post Mills Airport, VT - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review January 8, 2021; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,253 total, 140 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: MPV, 19 nm away - METAR: KMPV 121351Z AUTO 21012G20KT 10SM CLR 21/14 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP146 T02110144 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20210912015599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210912015599I), Sep 12, 2021: Sproul Keith A 83K-16, Ryegate, VT, Minor damage. The involved balloon was reported to be one of the 2 free balloons that departed post mills airport in thetford, Vermont during the experimental balloon and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103890. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12735482&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_N83KX_K%20Sproul_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13805161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Pilot%20statement-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12994171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20-%20ERA21LA366-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.