Sproul Keith A 83K-16 N83KX

Summary

On 12 September 2021 at about 12:30 local time, a Sproul Keith A 83K-16 registered N83KX was involved in an accident near Ryegate, Vermont, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 2021 at 12:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ryegate, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

44.1879, -72.1510

Aircraft

Sproul Keith A 83K-16

Registration

N83KX

Category

Balloon

Year built

2019

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Post Mills Airport → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA366

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to secure himself to the balloon seat which resulted in a loss of control of the balloon.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed early for a day of ballooning. As they approached the selected landing area, the pilot started a descent to slow the balloon in slower winds. As the balloon neared the treetops, the wind direction shifted slightly, which resulted in the balloon colliding with a tree. During the flight, and unbeknownst to the pilot, his lapbelt had become unsecured, and after the impact with the tree, he slid forward in the seat and held on to the uprights of the chair to prevent falling from the balloon. In this position the pilot could no longer control the balloon and remained holding onto the frame as the balloon went through the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the envelope and frame. The pilot reported that the balloon had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.