# NTSB LAX85LA223: General Balloon AX-6, N2614K, Panamint Valley, CA, March 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1985, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Panamint Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 35.730171, -117.360336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7302&lon=-117.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA223

## 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)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING ON DESERT TERRAIN IN NEARLY CALM AIR WHEN A 'STRONG THERMAL WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON 90 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION OF TRACK.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BALLOON LANDED HARD & WAS DRAGGED ABOUT 150 FT ACROSS THE DESERT. WHILE DEPLOYING THE RIP LINE TO EXPEL HOT AIR, THE PLT FELL ONTO A 68 YEAR OLD FEMALE PASSENGER. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, SHE SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A FRACTURED WRIST. REPORTEDLY, THE INJURED PASSENGER HAD OSTEOPOROSIS (CALCIUM DEPLETION OF THE BONES). THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE WIND HAD GUSTED TO 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2614K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2614K-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 521, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: General Balloon AX-6
- Registry model: [General Balloon AX-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/general-balloon-ax-6) (registry code 3760202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 521
- Airframe hours: 109
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mary Lou Long
- Registered owner: Mary Lou Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1984, 11 hours before
- Departed: PANAMINT, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; flight hours: 76 total, 76 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 2 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °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 19850324016799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850324016799A), Mar 24, 1985: Genbal AX6GENERAL, Panamint Valley, CA, Minor damage. Balloon landed hard, basket tipped and wind dragged it across desert. Passenger injured during rip line deployment.

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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