# NTSB LAX90LA080: Adams A55, N4021L, Glendale, AZ, January 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1990, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.6594, -112.179672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6594&lon=-112.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA080

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  THE UNEXPECTED HIGH WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER SHE TOOK OFF IN THE BALLOON.  SHE ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS REACHED A SPEED OF 15 TO 18 KTS BY THE TIME SHE LANDED.  DURING THE LANDING, THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN HARD & THE PLT'S LEFT ANKLE WAS FRACTURED.  THE WIND HAD BEEN FORECAST TO BE 7 KTS UNTIL NOON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4021L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4021L), registered now, S/N 134, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams A55
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a55) (registry code 0050103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 134
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marie M. Kasinger
- Departed: LONE MTN ROAD, AZ
- Destination: EL MIRAGE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; flight hours: 54 total, 36 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900121001959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900121001959A), Jan 21, 1990: Adams A55, Glendale, AZ. Made hard landing due to unforecasted strong surface wind. Suffered a broken ankle.

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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