# NTSB LAX82DA094: Barnes AX-7, N90790, Henderson, NV, March 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1982, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, NV
- Coordinates: 36.04018, -114.92942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0402&lon=-114.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - balloon equipment,burner system - erratic (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE INFLATING THE BALLOON, THE PILOT HAD SOME TROUBLE KEEPING THE PILOT LIGHT LIT. AFTER THE BALLOON WAS INFLATED, IT WAS FLOWN ON A 20 MINUTE FLIGHT WITHOUT INCIDENT. HOWEVER, WHILE LANDING ON THE SECOND FLIGHT, THE BALLOON BOUNCE DURING TOUCHDOWN. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS ABOUT A 90 DEGREE WINDSHIFT AND THE BALLOON STARTED DRIFTING TOWARD SOME ROCKS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LIGHT THE BURNER TO CLEAR THE ROCKS, BUT REPORTEDLY HAD A FLAME OUT. THE PILOT WAS KNOCKED OUT OF THE BASKET AND INJURED WHEN IT HIT THE ROCKS. WITH LESS WEIGHT IN THE BASKET, THE BALLOON BEGAN A RAPID CLIMB. ANOTHER BALLOON PILOT WAS ALSO ON BOARD. HE ASSUMED CONTROL AND LANDED THE BALLOON SAFELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90790 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BARNES AX-7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 142
- Airframe hours: 243
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Leisek
- Registered owner: Charles Leisek
- Departed: HENDERSON, NV
- Destination: HENDERSON, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 91 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- 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 19820306002529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820306002529A), Mar 6, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Henderson, NV. Pilot fell out of balloon during hard landing causing serious injury.

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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