# NTSB MKC83LA106: Skypower GBN-41-1000, N77NC, Denver, MO, May 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1983, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Denver, MO
- Coordinates: 40.389102, -94.32064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3891&lon=-94.3206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - control interference - intentional, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE GONDOLA BOUNCED DURING A HARD LANDING & WAS LIFTED BY TURBULENT WINDS. AFTER THE GONDOLA HAD REBOUNDED TO ABOUT 50 FT AGL, SOMEONE PULLED THE BALLOON'S RIP PANEL DUMPING THE GAS RESULTING IN A SEVERE HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77NC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77NC-2009-09-08), registration cancelled 2009-09-08, S/N 115 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKYPOWER GBN-41-1000 (GBN-41-100)
- Registry model: [Skypower GBN-41-1000](https://openairdocs.org/model/skypower-gbn-41-1000) (registry code 05637G1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 115
- Airframe hours: 220
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Natalie J. Caplan, doing business as Aeronautiques, Lts
- Registered owner: Aeronautiques, Ltd
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1983, 96 hours before
- Departed: SUS, CHESTERFIELD, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 1,006 total, 240 in this make and model, 1,006 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Observed at: MKC, 76 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 19830509069359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830509069359A), May 9, 1983: Amtr GBN411000, Denver, MO, Substantial damage. Balloon landing was attempted in windy, gusty condition.

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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