# NTSB DEN91LA100: Aerostar S57-A, N57053, Avon, CO, July 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1991, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Avon, CO
- Location: 39.6419° N, 106.5158° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Avon, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6419&lon=-106.5158&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT.  A FACTOR WAS:  THE PILOT'S ATTENTION BEING DIVERTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE BALLOON PILOT WAS LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND.  HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED BY PERSONS ON THE GROUND AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHASE CREW.  WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW POWERLINES DIRECTLY AHEAD.  HE PULLED THE DEFLATION LINE AND TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET.  THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE POWERLINES, IGNITING SKIRT PANELS AND DRIPPING MELTED FABRIC ON THE OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57053](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57053-2002-06-25), registration cancelled 2002-06-25, S/N S57A-3052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S57-A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S57-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s57-a) (registry code 7485057) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: SS73052
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roland L. & Ruth B. Elkins
- Registered owner: Roland L. & Ruth B. Elkins
- Departed: AVON, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; flight hours: 429 total, 214 in this make and model, 421 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F

## 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 19910714027169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910714027169A), Jul 14, 1991: Raven S57A, Avon, CO, Substantial damage. Looking for landing area allowed balloon to drift into wires at unsafe altitude. Was distracted by people on ground

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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