# Accident 20240320002639A: Aerostar International Inc S53A, Rochester, MN, March 20, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 20, 2024, 18:50 local time
- Place: Rochester, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.9598° N, 92.4657° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9598&lon=-92.4657&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5236R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5236R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aerostar International S53A (registry code 7487906, https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s53a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC S53A
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 852 total, 170 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA139) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240320002639A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DESCRIPTION: THE PIC BEGAN A PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH PASSENGERS WITH THE BALLOON TETHERED TO THE GROUND. ONCE AIRBORNE, THE PIC FOUND THE CONDITIONS TO BE FAVORABLE TO RELEASE THE TETHER. WHEN THE PIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND, THE WIND PICKED UP AND THE BALLOON BEGAN TO CLIMB AND DRIFT TOWARDS THE EAST, CLOSER TO POWERLINES.  THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SINGLE-BURNER TO CLIMB ABOVE THE LINES, BUT REALIZED IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT ABOVE THEM. THE PIC ELECTED TO PULL THE DEFLATION LINE. DURING THE DESCENT, THE ENVELOPE SUPPORT LINES STRUCK THE POWER LINES CAUSING THE ENVELOPE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BASKET. THE BASKET FELL APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET. A SMALL GRASS FIRE WAS STARTED BY THE BURNER AFTER IMPACT. THE PIC AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA139), Mar 21, 2024: Aerostar International S53A (N5236R), Rochester, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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