# NTSB LAX82FA163: Thunder Balloons LTD., Fountain Valley, CA, May 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1982, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Fountain Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710151, -117.939476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7102&lon=-117.9395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA163

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE BALLOON WAS INFLATED AND ESTABLISHED WEIGH-OFF PROCEDURES WERE CONDUCTED. AT THE END OF THE WEIGHT-OFF PROCEDURE, AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING WALKED BY THE GROUND HANDLERS, AN INCREASE IN WIND VELOCITY CAUSED THE BASKET TO BE PULLED FREE FROM THEIR GRASP. THE BALLOONS GONDOLA WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE GROUND FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS, COLLIDED WITH A PORTABLE STAGE, WENT UP AND OVER THE ROOF OF THE STAGE, AND COLLIDED WITH A TOW TRUCK CAUSING A PASSENGER TO FALL OUT BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IT SUCCESSFULLY LANDED ABOUT 13 MILES NORTH OF THE TAKEOFF SITE. A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORCASTER AT THE SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE 180 DEGREES AT 7 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 10 MPH AT 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GBJZC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Thunder Balloons, Ltd. LTD.
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 416
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Greenpeace
- Registered owner: Greenpeace
- Departed: FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA
- Destination: FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; medical: unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 153 °F

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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