# NTSB CHI94LA132: Aerostar RX-7, N6408F, Augusta, KS, April 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1994, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, KS
- Coordinates: 37.689323, -96.970382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6893&lon=-96.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA132

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN PERFORMED BY THE BALLOON PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, AFTER PRACTICING THREE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, SHE PICKED UP A PASSENGER FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT.  THE PILOT INSTRUCTED THE PASSENGER TO BRACE HIMSELF AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO DO ANOTHER TOUCH AND GO LANDING.  AFTER VENTING THE BALLOON TO DESCEND, THE PILOT DID A SHORT BURN AND THE BALLOON BOUNCED HARD WHILE LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 1994, approximately 0945 central daylight time, an Aerostar International RX-7 balloon, N6408F, touched down abruptly while practicing landings in a farm field near Augusta, Kansas.   The pilot reported no injuries, the passenger received serious injuries.  The balloon was not damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Derby, Kansas, exact time unknown.

According to the pilot's statement, after practicing three solo touch and go landings, she picked up a passenger for the continuation of the flight.  The pilot completed one successful touch and go landing with the passenger aboard, then chose a landing spot two miles downwind.  She stated as they neared the selected landing site, she realized it was not very accessible for the chase crew.  She radioed instructions to the chase crew for an alternate landing site, and prepared to perform another touch and go landing.  The pilot instructed the passenger to brace himself in preparation for the touch and go landing.  After venting the balloon to descend, the pilot did a short burn and the balloon bounced while landing.  The passenger's ankle was fractured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6408F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6408F-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N RX7-3035, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-7
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-7) (registry code 7487007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-3035
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Deal, Karen K.
- Registered owner: Deal, Karen K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1993, 17 hours before
- Departed: NON, BELLE PLAINE, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: unknown; flight hours: 49 total, 47 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT

## 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 19940416014299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940416014299A), Apr 16, 1994: Raven RX7, Augusta, KS. Student balloon pilot made hard practice landing. Passenger received a broken ankle.

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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