Cameron V-77 N9517P
28 December 1991 · Littleton, Colorado, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 28 December 1991 at about 16:30 local time, a Cameron V-77 registered N9517P, operated by David & Janet Woods, was involved in an accident near Littleton, Colorado, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Littleton, Colorado, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.5397, -104.9609
- Aircraft
- Cameron V-77
- Registration
- N9517P
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- David & Janet Woods
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN92LA021
People
3 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING PROCEDURE, INCLUDING WRONG COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND IMPROPER USE OF THE ENVELOPE DUMP CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS: HIGH WIND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE BALLOON PILOT SAID THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED AFTER HE HAD BEEN FLYING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND HE DECIDED TO MAKE A RAPID DESCENT TO LANDING. THE WINDS WERE STRONGER THAN HE ANTICIPATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO LEVEL OFF. A HARD LANDING RESULTED AND THE BALLOON WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE GROUND, DESPITE HAVING PULLED THE ENVELOPE DUMP VALVE. THE PILOT RELEASED THE CONTROL IN ORDER TO ASSIST A PASSENGER WHO WAS STRIKING HER HEAD ON THE GROUND. AN FAA BALLOON INSPECTOR SAID THE PILOT USED THE INCORRECT HIGH WIND LANDING PROCEDURES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cameron V-77 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Aug 1991 | Cameron V-77 | New Middletown, Ohio, United States | Jeffery A Bader | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Sep 1992 | Cameron V-77 | Littleton, Colorado, United States | Payne, Kathie A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 1992 | Cameron V-77 | Mesquite, Texas, United States | Holmes, Larry A. | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Sep 1993 | Cameron V-77 | Truckee, California, United States | George F. Denny | No injuries | - |
| 5 Nov 1989 | Cameron V-77 | Tornillo, Texas, United States | Bartolett, Karen Jean | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 May 1994 | Cameron V-77 | Durango, Colorado, United States | Donahower, Karen H. | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 1991 | Enstrom F-28C | Evergreen, Colorado, United States | James B. Highbanks | No injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1991 | Cessna 172M | Erie, Colorado, United States | Tri-County Flight School | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-18-150 | Telluride, Colorado, United States | Christopher Carroll | No injuries | - |
| 30 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-24-250 | Ellicott, Colorado, United States | Southwest Aircraft Recovery | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Nov 1991 | Piper PA-28-161 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | P.c. Flyers | No injuries | - |
| 20 Nov 1991 | Cessna 172N | Boulder, Colorado, United States | Dakota Ridge Aviation | No injuries | - |