# NTSB CEN24LA139: Aerostar International S53A, N5236R, Rochester, MN, March 21, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 20, 2024, 19:03 local (Mar 21, 2024, 00:03 UTC) - Place: Rochester, MN - Coordinates: 43.959822, -92.465712 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9598&lon=-92.4657&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193972 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193972/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193972 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S53A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7487906), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aerostar International S53A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7487906), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aerostar International S53A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7487906), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S53A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7487906), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International S53A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7487906), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he was attempting to land the hot air balloon in a field, the wind shifted and increased in speed. The pilot attempted to abort the landing but was unable to arrest the ballon’s descent. The balloon contacted power lines which resulted in an electrical arc and a shower of sparks. The arc severed 12 of the 16 flying wires, and the remaining flying wires failed in a manner consistent with overload. The basket separated from the envelope and came to rest on its side. The balloon sustained substantial damage to the flying wires, attachment hardware, and the basket support structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. The wind at the time of the accident was 350° at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5236R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5236R), registered now, S/N S53A-3091, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC S53A - Registry model: [Aerostar International S53A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s53a) (registry code 7487906) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S53A-3091 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 170 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 2024 - Departed: Rochester, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2023; seat: right; restraint: none; flight hours: 852 total, 700 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: KRST, 4 nm away - METAR: KRST 210000Z AUTO 35009KT 10SM M03/M19 A3016 RMK T10301190 MADISHF,M ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240320002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240320002639A), Mar 20, 2024: Aerostar International Inc S53A, Rochester, MN, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193972. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17013514&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20N5236R%206120%20and%20narrative_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 758 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17012883&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA139%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17013461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Summary%20N5236R-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.