# NTSB CHI00LA196: Aerostar S-77A, N5075H, River Falls, WI, July 14, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2000, 20:51 local (Jul 14, 2000, 01:51 UTC)
- Place: River Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.849838, -92.620491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8498&lon=-92.6205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA196

## Probable cause

the unfavorable wind condition for landing and control of the balloon during landing not possible by the pilot.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)

## Analysis

Three of the nine occupants of the hot air balloon received serious injuries during landing. The pilot said that, during the flight he experienced wind velocities higher than had been reported.  He said that he advised and briefed the passengers of the possibility of a high wind landing.  He said that during the approach to landing, the wind was approximately 6 to 8 miles per hour and that, just before touchdown, the wind increased to 12 to 15 miles per hour. Passengers reported that the pilot advised them of the possibility of a hard landing.  They reported that the pilot briefed them on how to prepare for the landing.  One of the witnesses reported that the balloon impacted the ground twice and came to rest on its side.  A weather report for a station located about 20 miles west-northwest of the accident site was reporting winds from 320 degrees magnetic at 10 nautical miles per hour.

## Factual narrative

On July 13, 2000, at 2051 central daylight time, an Aerostar S-77A balloon, N5075H, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained no damage during landing near River Falls, Wisconsin.  The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was not on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  Three of the eight passengers were seriously injured during the landing.  The pilot and the remaining passengers were not injured.  The flight originated from Stillwater, Minnesota at 1940.

In a written statement, the pilot said that, during the flight he experienced wind velocities higher than had been reported.  He said that he advised and briefed the passengers of the possibility of a high wind landing.  He said that during the approach to landing, the wind was approximately 6 to 8 miles per hour and that, just before touchdown, the wind increased to 12 to 15 miles per hour.

Passengers reported that the pilot advised them of the possibility of a hard landing.  They reported that the pilot briefed them on how to prepare for the landing.  One of the witnesses reported that the balloon impacted the ground twice and came to rest on its side.

A weather report for a station located about 20 miles west-northwest of the accident site was reporting winds from 320 degrees magnetic at 10 nautical miles per hour.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5075H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5075H-2011-03-25), registration cancelled 2011-03-25, S/N S77A-3027, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S-77A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-77a) (registry code 7487077) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aamodts Hot Air Balloon Rides
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2000, 46 hours before
- Departed: STILLWATER, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 337 total, 73 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 20 nm away

## 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 20000713012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000713012259A), Jul 13, 2000: Raven S77A, River Falls, WI, No damage. (-23) Hard landing due to sudden gust.

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.

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