# NTSB LAX83LA093: Piccard AX-6, N84US, Arroyo Grande, CA, January 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1983, 09:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Arroyo Grande, CA
- Coordinates: 35.15916, -120.429275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1592&lon=-120.4293&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A DOWNDRAFT WHEN HE WAS ON AN APCH TO LAND NEAR POWER LINES, AND WAS FORCED TO 'RIP OUT EARLY.' THE BALLOON LANDED LANDED RELATIVELY HARD, BUT WAS NOT DAMAGED. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S LEGS WERE CROSSED WHEN THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN & ONE LEG BROKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84US-1994-06-08), registration cancelled 1994-06-08, S/N 684 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICCARD AX-6
- Registry model: [Piccard AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/piccard-ax-6) (registry code 7001218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 684
- Airframe hours: 220
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William G. Hart
- Registered owner: Sharon B. Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1982, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 112° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19830101002979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830101002979A), Jan 1, 1983: Picard AX6, Arroyo Grande, CA. Encountered downdraft on landing approach. Vented balloon early to avoid powerlines. Pilots leg broken by impact.

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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