# NTSB CHI92LA016: Aerostar RX-8, Warsaw, IN, October 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1991, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Warsaw, IN
- Coordinates: 41.229053, -85.849975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2291&lon=-85.8500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA016

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DELAYED INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - light condition - dark night
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind
  - descent - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

A COMMERCIAL PILOT BEGAN A BALLOON FLIGHT IN LATE AFTERNOON AND ATTEMPTED LANDING AT SUNSET.  TWO ATTEMPTED LANDINGS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL WHEN THE CHASE CREW COULD NOT CATCH THE GROUND LINES IN THE WIND DRIFT.  THE BALLOON REMAINED AIRBORNE AFTER DARK.  THE PILOT STATED HE COULD NOT READ INSTRUMENTS NOR MAKE OUT OBSTACLES FOR LANDING FOR LACK OF AVAILABLE LIGHT.  HE LATER FOUND A FIELD, MADE A RAPID DESCENT AND LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N357OK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-8
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX8-3049
- Airframe hours: 105
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry J. & Marcille Cripe
- Registered owner: Henry J. & Marcille Cripe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1991, 47 hours before
- Departed: NONE, WATERFORD, IN
- Airport: ASW, Warsaw Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; flight hours: 110 total, 110 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 34 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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