# NTSB CHI00LA023: Aerostar Raven S57-A, N9130F, Imperial, MO, November 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1999, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Imperial, MO - Coordinates: 38.36024, -90.369575 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3602&lon=-90.3696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47718 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47718/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA023 ## Probable cause the passenger's failure to follow instructions on how to properly brace for the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown - crew/group briefing - performed, pilot in command - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, passenger (cause) ## Analysis The pilot briefed the passengers on the proper balloon landing procedures both prior to and during the flight. He reported that just prior to touchdown, he again stated 'Hold on and bend your knees.' He reported that during the normal, stand-up landing, the female passenger, age 83, either failed to or was unable to hold on. She lost her balance and began to sit on the floor of the basket. The male passenger, age 79, then let go of the basket in an attempt to assist her. The male passenger lost his footing, fell on top of the female, and the female passenger received a broken arm. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 1999, at 1635 central standard time, a passenger on board an Aerostar Raven S57-A balloon, N9130F, suffered a broken arm during a landing in Imperial, Missouri. The balloon was being operated by a commercial rated hot air balloon pilot. The pilot and a second passenger were not injured. The balloon was not damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from House Springs, Missouri, at 1530 cst. The pilot reported the accident occurred during the landing following a hour long flight. He reported he briefed the passengers on the proper landing procedures both prior to and during the flight. He reported he told them how to hold on during the landing, why they needed to hold on, what to expect, how to bend their knees, and how to brace themselves. He reported they began the landing approach at 800 feet above the ground (agl) at which time he once again briefed the passengers regarding the landing. He said he made the final step down at 50 feet agl to a "...gentle glide slope to landing." He reported that just prior to touchdown he again stated "Hold on and bend your knees." He reported that during the normal, stand-up landing, the female passenger, age 83, either failed to or was unable to hold on. She lost her balance and began to sit on the floor of the basket. The male passenger, age 79, then let go of the basket in an attempt to assist her. The male passenger lost his footing and fell on top of the female. It was sometime during this occurrence that the female passenger received a broken arm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9130F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9130F), registered now, S/N S57A-3152, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar RAVEN S57-A (RAVEN S57-) - Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S57-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s57-a) (registry code 7485057) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S57A-3152 - Airframe hours: 185 - Engines: unknown - Damage: No damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Malcolm L. Noll - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1999, 24 hours before - Departed: HOUSE SPRINGS, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 108 total, 105 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19991107047759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991107047759A), Nov 7, 1999: Raven S57A, Imperial, MO. (.4) The pilot briefed the passengers on the proper balloon landing procedures both prior to and during the flight. He reported that just prior to touchdown,… 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.