Sproul Keith A 83K-16 accident near Ryegate, Vermont, September 12, 2021
On September 12, 2021 at about 12:30 pm local time, a 2019 Sproul Keith A 83K-16 (balloon), an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N83KX, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Ryegate, Vermont. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to secure himself to the balloon seat which resulted in a loss of control of the balloon.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2021 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ryegate, Vermont · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sproul Keith A 83K-16, built 2019, amateur-built
- Registration
- N83KX · registry record · serial S-005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › (general) › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,253 hours in all; 140 in this make and model; 83 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 253 as pilot in command; 328 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 8, 2021
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 140 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 13, 2021
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 2B9 Post Mills Airport VT at 11:00 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 am from MPV, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMPV 121351Z AUTO 21012G20KT 10SM CLR 21/14 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP146 T02110144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 5, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.