# NTSB FTW83LA155: Piccard AX-6, N99US, Springtown, TX, March 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1983, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Springtown, TX
- Coordinates: 32.959152, -97.680534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9592&lon=-97.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS ON A 'HARE & HOUND' COMPETITION FLIGHT WITH A COMMERCIAL PLT & STUDENT PLT ON BOARD. AFTER THE COMPETITION PORTION WAS COMPLETED, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TOLD THE STUDENT TO TAKE CONTROL & CONTINUE FLYING, THEN LAND AT HER DISCRETION. AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN, THE STUDENT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PIC REPORTED THAT A 'TYPICAL' LANDING WAS MADE WITH A DRAG OF APRX 15 FT. DURING GROUND CONTACT, THE STUDENT STRUCK HER KNEE ON AN LP GAS BOTTLE & RECEIVED A SMALL FRACTURE OF THE RIGHT FEMUR. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 180 AT 10 GUSTING 12 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99US-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 699, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 699
- Airframe hours: 182
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. C. Conn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TX16, ALEDO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 330 total, 320 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19830312008089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830312008089A), Mar 12, 1983: Picard AX6, Springtown, TX. Student made a drag in landing and received a fractured knee after striking it on a gas fuel bottle.

## Other investigations on N99US (3)

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 FTW90LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA122), Jun 23, 1990: Piccard P-80 (N99US), Peaster, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH.
- [NTSB DEN89LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA003), Oct 3, 1988: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW83FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA324), Jul 11, 1983: Piccard AX-6 (N99US), Azle, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal

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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