# NTSB LAX80DUG29: Barnes AX-7, N40708, Lake Havasu, AZ, March 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 30, 1980
- Place: Lake Havasu, AZ · LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Location: 34.4839° N, 114.3225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Havasu City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4839&lon=-114.3225&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUG29
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUG29

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1374  80/3/30    LAKE HAVASU,AZ      BARNES AX-7         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 89
        TIME - 1720                    N40708              PX-  0  0  4  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PITTSBURG POINT,CA          LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     360
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           6                                                       VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- WIND SHIFTED AFTER TKOF & INCREASED W GUSTS TO 38KTS.DRG PRCTNRY LNDG,BASKET DRAGGED OVR GND/WTR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N40708 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BARNES AX-7
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800330008409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800330008409A), Mar 30, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY7, Lake Havasu Cit, CA, Substantial damage. Surface wind increased drastically while airborne. Balloon dragged through water and rough ground landing.

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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