# NTSB NYC04CA128: Cameron Balloons N90, N6123U, Whately, MA, May 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2004, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Whately, MA - Coordinates: 42.439167, -72.633613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4392&lon=-72.6336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59272 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59272/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees. A factor was windshear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The surface winds were very light when the balloon tookoff; however, the wind velocity increased during the flight. Due to the increased wind velocity, the pilot chose an open field to land the balloon. During the approach, windshear drove the balloon into trees. The balloon then became entangled in trees about 10 feet agl. A tree limb subsequently broke, and the balloon fell to the ground. The reported weather about the time of the accident included variable winds at 4-6 knots, with thunderstorm activity in the area. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2004, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cameron Balloons N90, N6123U, sustained minor damage while landing in Whately, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured, while one passenger sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Conway, Massachusetts, about 1800. No flight plan was filed for the sightseeing flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the surface winds were very light during takeoff; however, the wind velocity increased during the flight. Due to the increased wind velocity, the pilot located an open field to land the balloon. During the approach, windshear drove the balloon into trees. The balloon then became entangled in trees about 10 feet agl. A tree limb subsequently broke, and the balloon fell to the ground. During the fall, a passenger suffered a fractured leg. The reported weather at an airport approximately 20 miles south of the accident site, at 1853, was: wind variable at 4 knots; ceiling 4,900 feet overcast; temperature 73 degrees F; dew point 66 degrees F; altimeter 29.83 inches Hg; remark lightning in the distance to the south and southwest. The reported weather at an airport approximately 20 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1852, was: wind variable at 6 knots; ceiling 11,000 feet overcast; temperature 68 degrees F; dew point 60 degrees F; altimeter 29.88 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6123U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6123U-2007-11-28), registration cancelled 2007-11-28, S/N 5545, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cameron Balloons N90 - Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US N-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-n-90) (registry code 1880260) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5545 - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mary C. Clayton-Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Conway, MA - Destination: NONE, Whately, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,225 total, 200 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: BAF ## 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 20040523010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040523010559A), May 23, 2004: Camron N90, Whately, MA, Minor damage. (-23) The balloon encountered some low level wind shear as it approached the tree line on a descent to a landing site. The winds aloft were very light and… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.