# NTSB NYC89LA131: Adams Unknown, N4022Q, Soleburg, PA, April 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1989, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Soleburg, PA
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH RESULTED IN DELAYING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INCLUDED HIGH WINDS AND THE LACK OF RESTRAINING DEVICES INSIDE THE BASKET TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS REMAIN INSIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - lack of (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate cockpit/workplace, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - other person

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AT TAKEOFF THE WIND WAS CALM; HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE WIND INCREASED SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE BALLOON IN THE NEAREST ACCEPTABLE LANDING AREA. THE WIND WAS ABOUT 15 TO 18 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE BASKET FELL OVER AND A PASSENGER FELL OUT. THE BALLOON THEN WENT AIRBORNE AGAIN DUE TO THE LOSS OF WEIGHT AND RELANDED, HITTING THE PASSENGER WITH THE BASKET. THE BASKET CONTAINED NO RESTRAINING DEVICES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS REMAIN INSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4022Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4022Q), registered now, S/N 148 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Adams UNKNOWN
- 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: 148
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Mueller
- Registered owner: Festival Flights, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: READINGTON, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 579 total, 124 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 360° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890427017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890427017279A), Apr 27, 1989: Adams AB, Soleburg, NJ. Wind picked up for landing. Passenger fell out on hard landing. Balloon rose,pilot vented. More injuries on landing

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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