# NTSB MIA93LA159: Head Balloons AX8-105, N45124, Jacksonville, FL, July 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1993, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.190469, -81.609062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1905&lon=-81.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA159

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER PROCEDURES BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A DESCENT TO LAND IN A FIELD BUT OBSERVED A FENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT & ADDED BURNER HEAT TO CLEAR THE FENCE.  WHILE THE BALLOON WAS ABOUT 15-20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE PILOT THEN ADVISED ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WHO WAS NOT A PILOT, TO PULL A RED LANYARD BUT DID NOT ADVISE HIM OF THE EFFECT OF PULLING IT.  THE PASSENGER COMPLIED AND THE BALLOON LANDED HARD RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO A PASSENGER.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 1993, about 0845 eastern daylight time, a Head AX8-105 balloon, N45124, registered to Charles M. Vaughn, dba Balloon Man, landed hard near Jacksonville, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The balloon was not damaged and the pilot and one passenger were not injured.  One passenger sustained serious injuries.  The flight originated about 0730 from Jacksonville, Florida.

The pilot stated that he initiated a descent to land in a field but observed a fence in the middle of the field.  He added burner heat and cleared the fence but according to the passenger, the pilot told him to pull the red lanyard when the balloon was 15-20 feet above ground level.  The pilot never advised him of the effect of pulling the red lanyard which opens the deflation panel at the top of the envelope.  The other passenger stated that the pilot told her it was going to be a rough landing and while she was sitting down, the balloon landed "like a rock."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45124](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45124), registered now, S/N 182, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-105
- Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-105) (registry code 4280300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 182
- Airframe hours: 78
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Vaughn, Charles M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1992, 26 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 657 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIP, 6 nm away

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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