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NTSB Report
September 10, 1983 · Semco Challenger · N8554N
Tucson, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Semco Challenger
Tail Number
N8554N
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX83FUJ16
THE PILOT WAS OUTSIDE THE BASKET WHEN THE BALLOON TOOK OFF. HE GRABBED THE DEFLATION HANDLE AND THE BALLOON CARRIED HIM ALOFT. HE FELL FROM ABOUT 40 FT AGL ONTO HIS HEAD AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY WAS GOING TO TETHER THE BALLOON. DURING INFLATION THE BURNER SLIPPED OUT OF ONE HOLDER & INFLATION WAS INTERRUPTED TO WORK ON THE BURNER WHEN THE IMPROPERLY SECURED BALLOON LIFTED OFF. DURING INVESTIGATION THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE DEFLATION LINE WAS FOUND TO BE SEPARATED WHERE IT GOES THROUGH THE 'D' RING ATTACHED TO HE ENVELOPE. THE DEFLATION LINE AND THE VENT LINE WERE FOUND TO BE TANGLED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS OUTSIDE THE BASKET WHEN THE BALLOON TOOK OFF. HE GRABBED THE DEFLATION HANDLE AND THE BALLOON CARRIED HIM ALOFT. HE FELL FROM ABOUT 40 FT AGL ONTO HIS HEAD AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY WAS GOING TO TETHER THE BALLOON. DURING INFLATION THE BURNER SLIPPED OUT OF ONE HOLDER & INFLATION WAS INTERRUPTED TO WORK ON THE BURNER WHEN THE IMPROPERLY SECURED BALLOON LIFTED OFF. DURING INVESTIGATION THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE DEFLATION LINE WAS FOUND TO BE SEPARATED WHERE IT GOES THROUGH THE 'D' RING ATTACHED TO HE ENVELOPE. THE DEFLATION LINE AND THE VENT LINE WERE FOUND TO BE TANGLED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSemco Challenger
Tail NumberN8554N
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · N/A · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO