# NTSB LAX01LA005: Galaxy Balloons Galaxy 7, N52233, Inyokern, CA, October 8, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2000, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.550384, -117.669311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5504&lon=-117.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA005

## Probable cause

The pilot's hard landing during a high wind condition.

## 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 (cause)
  - aircraft control - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot anticipated encountering a light 2 to 4 mph wind during the flight with fare-paying passengers.  During the flight the wind speed increased.  After flying for 35 minutes, the pilot landed in a 12 mph wind.

## Factual narrative

On October 8, 2000, about 0800 hours Pacific daylight time, a Galaxy Balloons, Inc., Galaxy 7, N52233, owned and operated by the pilot, made a hard landing about 5 miles southeast of Inyokern, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial sightseeing flight.  The balloon sustained minor damage, and the commercial certificated pilot was seriously injured.  One of the fare-paying passengers received a minor injury, and one passenger was not injured.  The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Inyokern about 0715.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that on takeoff the wind was, as forecast, between 2 and 4 miles per hour (mph).  During the flight the wind direction changed, and its speed increased.  After about 20 minutes of flight, the pilot attempted to land but aborted the attempt in the prevailing 5 to 6 mph wind.  The pilot reported that he then flew for another 15 minutes and landed in a 12 mph wind.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52233](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52233-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N GLX-1627 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Galaxy Balloons, Inc. GALAXY 7
- Registry model: [Galaxy Balloons GALAXY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/galaxy-balloons-galaxy-7) (registry code 3760520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: GLX-1627
- Airframe hours: 504
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey J. Wages
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 26 hours before
- Departed: IYK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; flight hours: 290 total, 287 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 135 °F, dew point 118 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PMD, 60 nm away

## 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 20001008031339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001008031339A), Oct 8, 2000: Galaxy GALAXY7, Inyokern, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On 10/08/00 at approx. 0745 hours, during a sightseeing flight from Inyokern airport, the pilot of N52233, a hot air balloon, was making his second touch…

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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