# NTSB NYC93LA174: Cameron HAB-N90, N1192W, Niagara Falls, NY, August 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1993, 07:33 local (11:33 UTC)
- Place: Niagara Falls, NY
- Coordinates: 43.090671, -79.049087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0907&lon=-79.0491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA174

## Probable cause

The inadequate bracing of the passenger for landing which resulted in a fall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A NORMAL LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD.  THE PILOT STATED: 'I ADVISED THE [PASSENGERS] TO BRACE THEMSELVES USING THE HANDLES...THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN, SLID UP A SMALL KNOLL...THE BASKET SLID A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE COMING TO A FINAL STOP.  I CHECKED MY [PASSENGERS] AND [ONE PASSENGER] HAD BROKEN HER RIGHT LEG.'

## Factual narrative

On Friday, August 27, 1993, at 0733 eastern daylight time, a Cameron HAB-N90, N1192W, a free balloon, registered to James S. Suttle, and piloted by Penny L. Suttle, landed in a field in Niagara Falls, New York.  The balloon was not damaged.  The pilot and one passenger were not injured, but a second passenger received serious injures.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot was conducting a landing in an open field.  In her report, the pilot stated:

All equipment was stowed and out of the way           for landing.  I advised the [passengers] to           brace themselves using the inside handles,           bend their knees slightly, face the direction           of travel and watch the progress of the            landing...the balloon touched down, slid up           a small knoll, then touched down again after the            knoll.  The basket slid a short distance before           coming to a final stop.  I checked the [passengers]           and [one] had a broken leg...The hot air balloon           was not damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1192W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1192W-2003-06-18), registration cancelled 2003-06-18, S/N 5871, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON HAB-N90
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US N-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-n-90) (registry code 1880260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5871
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James P. Suttle, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1993, 40 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; flight hours: 192 total, 192 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930827031479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930827031479A), Aug 27, 1993: Camron N90, Niagara Falls, NY. During landing advised passengers use handles and brace. Basket slid up a knoll. Found one passenger broke a leg.

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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