# NTSB CHI03LA147: Aerostar S-77A, N52461, Cottage Grove, MN, June 3, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 2003, 20:07 local (Jun 3, 2003, 01:07 UTC)
- Place: Cottage Grove, MN
- Coordinates: 44.844444, -92.943054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8444&lon=-92.9431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA- Minneapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA147

## Probable cause

The inadequate touchdown 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
  - touchdown - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A passenger was seriously injured during a hard landing in a balloon ride .  The pilot released a line to his chase crew, who were unsuccessful in slowing the balloon down.  The pilot then climbed to clear obstacles and deployed the parachute top vent to descend onto a baseball field.  The pilot deployed the aero chute vent during flare.  The balloon bounced three to four times before stopping.

## Factual narrative

On June 2, 2003, at 2007 central daylight time, an Aerostar S-77A, N52461, operated by Wiederkehr Balloon International, Inc., experienced a hard landing after a steep approach to a field near Cottage Grove, Minnesota.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot and seven passengers reported no injuries, and one passenger reported serious injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 balloon ride flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The local flight departed about 1900.

The pilot reported that he attempted to land in a hay field.  A line was dropped to the chase crew, who were unsuccessful in slowing the balloon down.  The crew released the line allowing the balloon to climb over obstacles.  The pilot stated he deployed the parachute top vent to descend onto a baseball field.  He deployed the aero chute vent to flare the balloon before touching down.  The balloon bounced "three or four times" before coming to a stop in the upright position.

A passenger sustained a broken rib.

The ride balloon was undamaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52461](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52461), registered now, S/N S77A-3031, built 2000 (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
- Serial number: 3031
- Airframe hours: 150
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wiederkehr Ballooons International Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2003, 0 hours before
- Departed: Lakeland, MN
- Destination: Cottage Grove, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review December 28, 2002

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 12 nm away

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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