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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 17, 2007 · Aerostar International S81A · N5069B

Custer, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 12 uninjured
Location
Custer, SD
Aircraft
Aerostar International S81A
Tail Number
N5069B
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI07LA317

The pilot reported that at the time of the balloon launch, the winds were calm, but during landing the winds were "a little stronger than forecast but nothing unusual for the Hills..." He stated that he briefed the passengers for a windy landing, and the balloon landed "...going to 10-12 mph." The basket then tipped over on its side and slid 20 feet across grass and a "few" rocks. The passenger reportedly received a broken ankle during landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The high wind during landing. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with adverse weather during the flight.

Full Narrative

On July 17, 2007, at 0715 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International Inc. S81A, N5069B, was being operated as a sightseeing flight when a passenger sustained serious injuries during landing near Custer, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed on the day of the accident. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and 11 other passengers were uninjured. The local flight originated at 0630 near Custer, South Dakota. The pilot provided a written statement in which he states that at the time of the balloon launch, the winds were calm, but during landing the winds were "a little stronger than forecast but nothing unusual for the Hills... ." He stated that he briefed the passengers for a windy landing, and the balloon landed "...going to 10-12 mph." The basket then tipped over on its side and slid 20 feet across grass and a "few" rocks. The passenger reportedly received a broken ankle during landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerostar International S81A
Tail NumberN5069B
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 12 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured12
Total13
Crew 1Age 49 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data