# NTSB NYC90LA221: Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7, N666RT, Binghamton, NY, August 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1990, 20:10 local (Aug 2, 1990, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Binghamton, NY
- Coordinates: 42.090961, -75.970001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0910&lon=-75.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA221

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE BALLOON DURING TOUCHDOWN RESULTING IN THE BASKET OF THE BALLOON TIPPING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SLOPE OF THE TERRAIN AND THE WIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS A SUSQUENANGO BALLOON CLUB LANDOWNERS APPRECIATION EVENT AND ORIGINATED AT OTSININGO PARK IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK. THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE LANADING. AFTER ONE TOUCH-AND- GO LANDING TO SHOW THE PASSENGER THE EFFECTS OF THE LANDING PROCESS. THE NEXT FIELD WAS SELECTED TO LAND IN. THE LANDING SITE WAS SLIGHTLY UP HILL IN A 40 ACRE FIELD OF CUT GREEN GRASS. THE WIND WAS 5-7 MILES PER HOUR. DURING THE LANDING, THE BASKET OF THE BALLOON TIPPED AND THE PASSENGER FELL OUT OF THE BASKET TO THE GROUND. THE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666RT-2012-11-16), registration cancelled 2012-11-16, S/N 039 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Fantasy Sky Promotions AX-7
- Registry model: [Fantasy Sky Promotions FANTASY SEVEN BALLN](https://openairdocs.org/model/fantasy-sky-promotions-fantasy-seven-balln) (registry code 3410101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 039
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Maines

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,980 total, 28 in this make and model, 10,003 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25,000,000 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 19900801044139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900801044139A), Aug 1, 1990: Eagleb AX7, Binghamton, NY. Balloon gondola tipped over on landing due to slope and wind. Passenger fell out and was seriously injured.

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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