# NTSB NYC90LA057: Cameron AX-8, N1994V, Schodack, NY, July 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1990, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Schodack, NY
- Coordinates: 42.47039, -73.739265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4704&lon=-73.7393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA057

## Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH UNFORECAST HIGH WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM FLIGHT SERVICE AND IN ADDITION, A PIBAL WAS LAUNCHED TO CHECK THE WINDS. AFTER THE HOT AIR BALLOON DEPARTED WITH A PILOT AND 4 PASSENGERS, THE WINDS INCREASED AND THE FLIGHT WAS CUT SHORT. THE PASSENGERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE LANDING INCLUDING THE IMPORTANCE OF HANGING ONTO THE BASKET UNTIL IT STOPS. A HARD LANDING WAS MADE AND THE BASKET DRAGGED OVER 100 FT PRIOR TO STOPPING. TWO ELDERLY PASSENGERS (70+) WERE UNABLE TO HANG ONTO THE BASKET AND ALTHOUGH THEY STAYED IN THE BASKET, ONE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES (CRACKED RIBS) AND THE OTHER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1994V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1994V-1992-07-21), registration cancelled 1992-07-21, S/N 5308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON AX-8
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US A-105](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-a-105) (registry code 1880211) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5308
- Airframe hours: 232
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: American Balloon Works
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1990, 12 hours before
- Departed: KINDERBOOK, NY
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 613 total, 216 in this make and model, 544 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °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 19900722030729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900722030729A), Jul 22, 1990: Camron A105, Schodack Land, NY. Two elderly passengers unable to hold on during highwind landing. Basket dragged 100 feet.

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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