# NTSB LAX89LA104: Cameron A-140, N2912R, Phoenix, AZ, February 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1989, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.570503, -112.049049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5705&lon=-112.0490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DISPLAYED POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY NOT PROPERLY EVALUATING THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, AFTER TAKEOFF, THE WINDS INCREASED. THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING AND BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS. THE BASKET IMPACTED THE GROUND, TIPPED AND WAS DRAGGED FOR SEVERAL FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE HARD LANDING. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE STRONG PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2912R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2912R-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 5023, built 1983 (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: 5023
- Airframe hours: 448
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Escape Adventures
- Registered owner: Cousins Of The Clouds Ball Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; flight hours: 234 total, 74 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 10 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 19890206001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890206001769A), Feb 6, 1989: Camron A140, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. Wind picked up. Made hard high wind landing. Dragged 80 yards. Basket tipped, two passengers ejected.

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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