# NTSB FTW91LA161: Barnes AX 7, N5182U, Baytown, TX, September 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 19:15 local (Sep 15, 1991, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.799297, -94.96994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7993&lon=-94.9699&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA161

## Probable cause

THE CREWMEMBERS IMPROPER POSTURE DURING LANDING WHICH LED TO A SERIOUS INJURY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE CREWMEMBER, AND WITNESSES, THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE BALLOON BOUNCED BACK UP ABOUT 10 FEET FOLLOWING THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN. THE SECOND LANDING WAS ALSO NORMAL AND THE BASKET CAME TO REST IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE ENVELOPE STILL INFLATED.  THE CREWMEMBER STATED AFTER THE FIRST BOUNCE, SHE TENSED UP, AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN HER LEFT ANKLE FOLDED UNDER HER. SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY BROKEN THE SAME ANKLE IN A SKIING ACCIDENT.  THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON AND NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT WHO WAS THE ONLY OTHER OCCUPANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5182U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5182U), registered now, S/N 114, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Barnes AX 7
- Registry model: [Medema/Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/medema-balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 05637CM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 114
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nelson, Jack H.
- Registered owner: Nelson, Jack H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1991, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; flight hours: 255 total, 224 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19910914039859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914039859A), Sep 14, 1991: Eagleb AX7, Baytown, TX. Bounced and landed hard on high wind landing. Crew person onboard tensed up,broke previous broken ankle.

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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