Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 16, 1997 · Aerostar RX7 · N71150

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 1997
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Aerostar RX7
Tail Number
N71150
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA124

According to the other balloon pilots, who witnessed the accident, the pilot was landing in a crowded area and made what appeared to be a normal landing. The balloon bounced, and then collided with an unoccupied and standing balloon. No adverse weather conditions were noted by the witnesses.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain safe altitude/clearance from another balloon, while landing in a crowded area.

Full Narrative

On March 16, 1997, at 0745 hours mountain standard time, an Aerostar RX7 balloon, N71150, participating in a hot air balloon rally, collided with another balloon during landing in Tucson, Arizona. The balloon was substantially damaged. The pilot/owner was seriously injured, one passenger had minor injuries, and the other passenger was not injured. Visual meterological conditions existed for the local hot air balloon rally that originated at 0730. According to the pilot, participants in the hot air balloon rally received full weather briefings for Ryan Field Airport, Davis-Montham AFB, and the Ina Road Heliport, all in Tucson, before the rally began. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported the winds were forecasted at 7 knots until 1200. He stated that he had flown both Friday and Saturday and the weather conditions were good, and that Sunday seemed like the weather would be more of the same. He realized that the wind was in fact gusting to 20 knots, and made the decision to land. The balloon came in too fast and low and hit hard. On landing the pilot's leg went through the gondola. During the touchdown sequence, the gondola twisted, lifted off at an angle, caught the edge of another balloon already on the ground, ripping holes in the other balloon's envelope. No one else on the ground was injured. The pilot and passengers of the other balloon were not in the balloon during the accident sequence. According to the other pilots who witnessed the accident, the pilot was landing in a crowded area and made what appeared to be a normal landing, bounced, and then collided with the other balloon. No adverse weather conditions were noted by the witness.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar RX7
Tail NumberN71150
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data