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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 1, 1995 · Aerostar S60A · N63286

Baton Rouge, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Aircraft
Aerostar S60A
Tail Number
N63286
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW96LA001

AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL FLIGHT, THE BALLOON PILOT COMMENCED AN APPROACH TO LAND IN A FIELD LOCATED BETWEEN POWER LINES AND AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, SHE 'PASSED OVER THE POWER LINES', AND ABOUT 20 FEET PRIOR TO TOUCH DOWN, A 'SUDDEN, STRONG GUST OF WIND' PUSHED THE BALLOON 'DOWNWARD AND BACKWARD.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE POWER LINES THAT SHE HAD JUST PASSED OVER, AND THE BASKET CONTACTED THE GROUND. AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND, THE BALLOON BEGAN TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS AND CONTACTED ANOTHER POWER LINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES DURING THE APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS THE SUDDEN WIND GUST.

Full Narrative

On October 1, 1995, at 1845 central daylight time, an Aerostar S60A balloon, N63286, was substantially damaged during an approach to land in a field near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The balloon, owned by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The personal flight was participating in a local ballooning event. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In an interview, the pilot stated that she commenced an approach to land in a field located between power lines and an apartment complex. During the approach, she "passed over the power lines", and about 20 feet prior to touch down, a "sudden, strong gust of wind" pushed the balloon "downward and backward." Subsequently, the envelope contacted the power lines that she had "passed over", and the basket contacted the ground. She further stated that, after contacting the ground, the balloon began to slide sideways and contacted another power line. Examination of the balloon revealed arcing on the basket attaching cables and a torn envelope.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar S60A
Tail NumberN63286
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind95° @ 6 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data