# NTSB NYC85FNC05: Barnes AX7, N15314, Gorham, ME, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Gorham, ME
- Location: 43.6932° N, 70.4350° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gorham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6932&lon=-70.4350&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNC05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - wind information - inaccurate, nws personnel (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - daylight

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THREE PASSENGERS IN A HOT AIR BALLOON. THERE WAS AN UNFORECAST WIND CHANGE WITH AN INCREASE IN VELOCITY. THIS CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION AND VELOCITY PRECLUDED THE ABILITY TO MAKE A LANDING AND KEEP THE BASKET UPRIGHT. WHEN THE BASKET TIPPED OVER THE PILOT RECEIVED A BROKEN LEG. THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15314 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BARNES AX7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: A7137
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marlene Handcock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: S. WINDHAM, ME
- Destination: GORHAM, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; flight hours: 107 total, 7 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUG, 48 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 19850717036379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717036379A), Jul 17, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY7, Gorham, ME. The basket of the balloon tipped forward during landing. Pilots leg was broken when passengers fell on top of her.

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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