# NTSB DEN88LA007: Aerostar S-66A, N64547, Albuquerque, NM, October 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1987, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.060672, -106.620605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0607&lon=-106.6206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

UPON LANDING, THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND BOUNCED OVER A SMALL DEPRESSION. THE BASKET STRUCK A SMALL MOUND AND THREW THREE OF THE SIX PASSENGERS AGAINST THE RAIL OF THE BASKET. THE OTHER PASSENGERS FELL AGAINST THEM AND THE THREE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON OR BASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64547](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64547-2018-02-09), registration cancelled 2018-02-09, S/N S66A-3010, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR S-66A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-66a) (registry code 7486066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S66A-3010
- Airframe hours: 92
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Adventures
- Registered owner: High Sierra Balloons
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1986, 92 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; flight hours: 170 total, 170 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19871011059409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871011059409A), Oct 11, 1987: Raven S66A, Albuquerque, NM. Landed hard in a gravel pit. Basket bumped rough ground and passengers fell on each other causing injuries.

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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