# NTSB ERA24LA382: Aerostar International RX-7, N53081, Amsterdam, NY, September 13, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 13, 2024, 18:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Amsterdam, NY - Coordinates: 42.954446, -74.011877 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9544&lon=-74.0119&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195131/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195131 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA382 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines during final approach for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX-7, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7487007), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7487007), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International RX-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7487007), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he launched his hot air balloon for a brief solo flight with the intent of practicing maneuvers during calm wind conditions. Shortly after departure, he prepared for landing on a spot about 1/4-mile away that consisted of a flat harvested corn field. During the landing approach, he observed a powerline perpendicular to his final approach and landing target. He initially thought about climbing, but realized the balloon would not react fast enough, so he opened the vent to deflate the envelope and descend. The balloon envelope did not vent quickly enough and the balloon drifted into the powerlines, resulting in electrical arcing until the electrical breaker shut off. The basket settled onto the ground and the balloon envelope remained partially inflated and draped over the powerlines. The arcing resulted in substantial damage to the balloon; 6 cables were severed and there were multiple burn holes in the envelope. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the balloon that would have precluded normal operation or performance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53081](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53081), registered now, S/N RX7-3344, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC 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: RX7-3344 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 365.7 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2023 - Departed: PVT, Charlton, NY - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: SCH, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KSCH 132053Z 11004KT 10SM SCT048 SCT055 27/17 A3020 ## 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 20240913013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240913013619A), Sep 13, 2024: Aerostar International Inc RX-7, Charlton, NY, Substantial damage. On September 13, 2024, a manned balloon operated by a single pilot and no additional persons on board contacted utility lines during descent to a field for… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195131. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17829741&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%206120%20Accident%20Report_N53801_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and damage (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 866 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17828760&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N53018-Rel.pdf 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.