# NTSB LAX84LA070: Cameron A-140, N741CB, Temecula, CA, November 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1983, 08:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED WX INFO FROM THE TV, BUT NO WX REPORT WAS OBTAINED FROM FLT SERVICE. WHEN HE TOOK OFF ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLT AT 0745 PST, THE WIND WAS CALM. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE FLEW AT LOWER ALTITUDES, THEN CLIMBED & FLEW BETWEEN 1200 & 2200 FT AGL. THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT AT THE LOWER ALTITUDES, THE WIND WAS BLOWING AT 3 TO 4 KTS, AND AT THE HIGHER ALTITUDES, IT INCREASED TO 7 TO 9 KTS. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ELECTED TO LAND AT 0835 PST, THE PLT ESTIMATED THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 12 GUSTING 14 KTS. BEFORE LANDING, HE 'CONTOURED' THE SURFACE UNTIL REACHING A GRASSY MEADOW WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE. REPORTEDLY, THE BALLOON SKIDDED DURING TOUCHDOWN, BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 10 FT AGL, THEN LANDED AGAIN. ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED A FRACTURED ANKLE DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N741CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N741CB-2011-04-27), registration cancelled 2011-04-27, S/N 862, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON A-140
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons A-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-a-140) (registry code 1880112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 862
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: unknown 07 9 horsepower unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Daniel Horst, doing business as Rainbow Balloons
- Registered owner: David H. Buehner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 25, 1983, 15 hours before
- Airport: 2LO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 350 total, 115 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 13 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 19831126060649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831126060649A), Nov 26, 1983: Camron A140, Temecula, CA, Minor damage. Wind picked up during sight seeing flight. Made hard down hill landing. No weather briefing.

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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