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

August 23, 2019 · Lindstrand 105A No Series · N7172D

Lawton, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Lawton, OK
Aircraft
Lindstrand 105A No Series (2011)
Tail Number
N7172D
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CEN19TA328

Following a revenue sightseeing flight, the pilot landed the balloon hard in an open pasture, then the basket tipped over and was dragged by the balloon about 20 ft before it came to a stop. The pilot stated that after the accident, he saw one of his adult male passengers laying on top of his elderly mother in the bottom of the basket. The 85-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Capability exceeded

Full Narrative

On August 23, 2019, about 0800 central daylight time, a Lindstrand 105A balloon, N7172D, had a hard landing in a pasture near Lawton, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and 3 of his passengers were not injured, 1 passenger was seriously injured, and the balloon was not damaged. The balloon was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the revenue sightseeing balloon flight that departed a field located about 6 miles southeast of the accident site at 0720. The pilot reported that he provided a preflight briefing to his 4 passengers, during which he identified where the basket handles/ropes were located and demonstrated how to properly brace for a landing with bent knees. The pilot reported that he made a normal takeoff with a surface wind from the southeast at 6-7 knots. The pilot stated that the balloon climbed to 1,300 ft and achieved a maximum ground speed of about 10 knots during the 40 minute flight. The pilot reported that as they approached the festival site their intended landing zone was not possible due to the wind direction, and that he continued to fly toward an open pasture located about 200 yards north of the Apache Casino Hotel. The pilot stated that as the balloon approached the alternate landing zone the bottom rear edge of basket briefly contacted the top of a 15 ft high mobile light tower; however, the mobile light tower was not knocked over or damaged. The pilot then began to vent the balloon for a landing and reminded the passengers to keep their hands inside the basket, and to bend their knees for landing. The pilot noted that one of his adult passengers had wrapped his arms around his elderly mother before landing. The pilot stated that the basket made a firm landing but did not bounce. The pilot reported that the basket tipped over onto its side upon landing and was dragged by the balloon about 20 ft before it came to a stop. The pilot stated that he heard the elderly passenger scream upon landing, and after the basket came to a stop he saw the son laying on top of his mother in the bottom of the basket. One of the passengers called 911 who dispatched paramedics to assist with the injured passenger. The paramedics evaluated the injured passenger before they assisted her out of the basket and to a standing position. The injured passenger was transported to a local hospital for additional evaluation and treatment. According to hospital discharge records, the 85-year-old female passenger sustained a fractured right ankle, a fractured left hand, and a laceration of the right hand that required sutures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLindstrand 105A No Series
Tail NumberN7172D
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeNone
Engine DetailsNone

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data