# NTSB CEN24LA369: Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A, N605KD, Custer, SD, September 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2024, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Custer, SD - Coordinates: 43.733333, -103.63333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7333&lon=-103.6333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA369 ## Probable cause The balloon landing in increased wind, which resulted in a hard landing and the serious injury of a passenger. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5190013), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=5190013), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5190013), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while aligning the balloon for the landing, he became aware of increasing wind speed. He briefed the passengers for a slightly faster landing and continued the approach. The pilot stated that he made the approach to the field at 6 knots and the ground crew were able to assist in slowing down the balloon during the landing. The basket briefly touched down and bounced twice before coming to rest. During the landing a passenger sustained a serious injury. The pilot stated that the injury was a result of another passenger crushing her against the wicker partition. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N605KD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N605KD), registered now, S/N 5770, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ARBC INC DBA LINDSTRAND 260A - Registry model: [Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A](https://openairdocs.org/model/arbc-inc-dba-lindstrand-260a) (registry code 5190013) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 5770 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 167 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Flying Circus Inc, doing business as Black Hills Balloons - Registered owner: Flying Circus Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2024 - Departed: NA, Custer, SD - Destination: NA, Custer, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2024; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,301 total, 157 in this make and model, 2,256 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KCUT, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KCUT 091353Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/07 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP120 T01610072= ## Other investigations on N605KD (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 CEN23LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA302), Jul 12, 2023: Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A (N605KD), Custer, SD, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s weather encounter that resulted in a high speed landing, the balloon tipping over, and serious injury to a passenger. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195214. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17978814&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%20CEN24LA369_Redacted-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.