# NTSB MIA89LA102: Adams AX-9, N4033J, Jacksonville, FL, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 09:04 local (14:04 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.269086, -81.750991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2691&lon=-81.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA102

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF A PASSENGER TO FOLLOW PRE-BRIEFED INSTRUCTIONS DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON TIPPED OVER UPON LDG. THE PLT & 2 PAX STATED THAT SAFETY BRIEFING BEFORE & DURING FLT WAS ADEQUATE, & GIVEN AT LEAST TWICE. ON TOUCHDOWN WHEN THE GONDOLA TIPPED, OTHER PAX FELL UPON FEMALE PAX INJURING HER ARM. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED UNTIL ABOUT 48 HRS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4033J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4033J), registered now, S/N 144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADAMS AX-9
- Registry model: [Adams Balloon A B](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-balloon-a-b) (registry code 0050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 144
- Airframe hours: 399
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Victory Balloons, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1988, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; flight hours: 801 total, 801 in this make and model, 778 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 15 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 19890311003529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003529A), Mar 11, 1989: Adams AB, Jacksonville, FL. Gust of wind tipped over basket after landing. Female passenger was unable to hold on. Broke her arm.

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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