# NTSB CHI05CA133: Aerostar S-57A, N71072, Sparta, MO, May 28, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2005, 19:40 local (May 28, 2005, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Sparta, MO - Coordinates: 37, -93.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0000&lon=-93.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA133 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain a proper descent rate due to the wind gust resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the wind gust and the tree struck during the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, descent - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The balloon sustained minor damage and the pilot sustained serious injuries when a wind gust was encountered while descending for landing following a tethered flight. The two passengers on-board were not injured. The pilot reported that he obtained a preflight weather briefing during which he was advised that forecast winds were to be 7 knots. He noted that he departed from his residence on a free balloon flight. After take off the flight proceeded in an easterly direction and landed about 30 minutes later. He stated that no unusual weather activity was observed during that flight and winds remained light. The pilot stated that after landing he elected to provide tethered balloon rides for residents in the area. He reported that while descending to land after the final ride, while about 30 feet above ground level, a "strong north wind suddenly hit the balloon." He estimated the wind gust was 25 miles per hour. He stated that he could not hold the balloon and it began to travel toward the south at a "rapid speed," which resulted in a hard landing in the next field. He reported that he pulled the vent line in an attempt to deflate the balloon envelope. The pilot stated that he was subsequently "bounced out" of the basket and was dragged through the field. The balloon "relaunched" itself in the high wind and flew into a tree. He was no longer able to hold onto the vent line and fell about 20 feet to the ground. The pilot suffered a fractured pelvis and compressed vertebrae. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2005, at 1940 central daylight time, an Aerostar S-57A balloon, N71072, piloted by a private pilot, sustained minor damage when a wind gust was encountered while landing. The tethered balloon flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The two passengers were not injured. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he obtained a preflight weather briefing during which he was advised that forecast winds were to be from 220 - 250 degrees at 7 knots. He noted that he initially departed from his residence on a free balloon flight about 1840, which proceeded in an easterly direction. He reported that about 1920 he landed adjacent to Highway 125, about 4 miles south of Linden, Missouri. He stated that no unusual weather activity was observed during that flight and winds remained light. The pilot stated that after landing he elected to provide tethered balloon rides for residents in the area. He reported that while descending to land after the final ride, while about 30 feet above ground level, a "strong north wind suddenly hit the balloon." He estimated the wind gust was 25 miles per hour. He stated that the balloon began to travel toward the south at a "rapid speed," which resulted in a hard landing in the next field. He reported that he pulled the vent line in an attempt to deflate the balloon envelope. The pilot stated that he was subsequently "bounced out" of the basket and was dragged through the field. The pilot reported that the balloon "relaunched" itself in the high wind and flew into a tree. He was no longer able to hold onto the vent line and fell about 20 feet to the ground. The pilot suffered a fractured pelvis and compressed vertebrae. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71072](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71072), registered now, S/N S57A-3180, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar S-57A - Registry model: [Aerostar International S-57A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-57a) (registry code 7485001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S57A-3180 - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVT, Sparta, MO - Airport: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; last flight review July 1, 2003; flight hours: 132 total, 132 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 21 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 20050527009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050527009669A), May 27, 2005: Raven S57A, Sparta, MO, Minor damage. (-23) As the pilot was attempting to land near a small group of people, a sudden gust of wind came up and began blowing the balloon toward power lines. To… 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.