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NTSB Report
December 11, 1990 · Aerostar S-60A · N3589J
Columbus, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Aerostar S-60A
Tail Number
N3589J
Operator
Icchc
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91FA046
THE BALLOON DEPARTED FROM A FIELD ABOUT 4 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES SAW THE BALLOON DRIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AT LOW ALTITUDE. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THAT AS THE BALLOON NEARED A 1029 FT TALL TV ANTENNA, IT BEGAN TO ASCEND RAPIDLY & ITS HORIZONTAL SPEED INCREASED. HOWEVER, THE BALLOONS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE TOP OF THE ANTENA. BOTH THE ENVELOPE & GONDOLA FELL INTO A WOODED AREA. A WEATHER STUDY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE INVERSION & THAT THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED FROM ABOUT 4 KTS AT THE SURFACE TO ABOUT 13 KTS AT 3000 FT MSL.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TEMPERATURE INVERSION WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON DEPARTED FROM A FIELD ABOUT 4 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES SAW THE BALLOON DRIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AT LOW ALTITUDE. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THAT AS THE BALLOON NEARED A 1029 FT TALL TV ANTENNA, IT BEGAN TO ASCEND RAPIDLY & ITS HORIZONTAL SPEED INCREASED. HOWEVER, THE BALLOONS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE TOP OF THE ANTENA. BOTH THE ENVELOPE & GONDOLA FELL INTO A WOODED AREA. A WEATHER STUDY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE INVERSION & THAT THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED FROM ABOUT 4 KTS AT THE SURFACE TO ABOUT 13 KTS AT 3000 FT MSL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerostar S-60A
Tail NumberN3589J
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
OperatorIcchc
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 31 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:50
Weather SourceWFAC