Barnes AX7 accident near Gorham, Maine, July 17, 1985
On July 17, 1985 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Barnes AX7 (balloon), registered N15314, was involved in an accident near Gorham, Maine. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 1985 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gorham, Maine
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Barnes AX7
- Registration
- N15314 · no longer on the register · serial A7137
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THREE PASSENGERS IN A HOT AIR BALLOON. THERE WAS AN UNFORECAST WIND CHANGE WITH AN INCREASE IN VELOCITY. THIS CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION AND VELOCITY PRECLUDED THE ABILITY TO MAKE A LANDING AND KEEP THE BASKET UPRIGHT. WHEN THE BASKET TIPPED OVER THE PILOT RECEIVED A BROKEN LEG. THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 107 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 80 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 280 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 15, 1985; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S. Windham ME
- Destination: Gorham ME
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from AUG, 48 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.