# NTSB NYC91LA209: Cameron V-77, N6044U, New Middletown, OH, August 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: New Middletown, OH
- Coordinates: 40.959083, -80.559249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9591&lon=-80.5592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA209

## Probable cause

THE UNFAVORABLE WIND (SHIFT) ENCOUNTERED BY THE BALLOON DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - aircraft control - delayed, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - ruptured
  - balloon equipment,envelope - collapsed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A HOT AIR BALLOON WITH TWO PILOTS AND ONE PASSENGER ONBOARD COLLIDED WITH THE ROOF OF A BARN WHILE ON INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB.  THE WIND AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 7 KNOTS; HOWEVER, JUST AFTER LIFTOFF IT SHIFTED TO THE NORTHEAST AT APPROXIMATELY 15 KNOTS.  THE WIND SHIFT CAUSED THE BALLOON TO DRIFT INTO THE BARN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6044U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6044U-2007-08-25), registration cancelled 2007-08-25, S/N 5495, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON V-77
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US V-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-v-77) (registry code 1880206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5495
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffery A Bader
- Registered owner: Jeffery A Bader
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1991, 24 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 675 total, 45 in this make and model, 491 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19910807042509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910807042509A), Aug 7, 1991: Camron V77CAMERON, New Middletown, OH, Minor damage. Windshift on liftoff carried balloon into contact with barn. Vent line snagged. Balloon vented. Basket fell off roof

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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