# NTSB FTW02LA013: Aerostar International S81A, N52760, Albuquerque, NM, October 10, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2001, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA013

## Probable cause

the selection of an unsuitable landing area by the pilot.  A contributing factor was the high wind during the landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot attempted a landing to an asphalt parking lot, which contained a small building and automobiles.  The balloon basket touched down and dragged along the asphalt approximately 60-80 feet.  The balloon and basket impacted the small building and a powerline.  Upon impact with the building, one passenger sustained a fractured shoulder.  The pilot stated the wind at the time of the landing was approximately 10-12 knots.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 2001, at 0830 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar International Inc. S81A balloon, N52760, contacted a small building during a high wind landing to a parking lot of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, near Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot and nine passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries.  The balloon was registered to and operated by Miles High Inc., d.b.a. Park City Balloon Adventures, Park City, Utah.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.  The local balloon flight departed Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0745.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he attempted a landing to an asphalt parking lot, which contained a small building and automobiles.  The balloon basket touched down and dragged along the asphalt approximately 60-80 feet.  The balloon and basket impacted the small building and a powerline.  Upon impact with the building, one passenger sustained a fractured shoulder.  The balloon envelope was not damaged and the wicker basket sustained minor damage.  The pilot stated the wind at the time of the landing was approximately 10-12 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52760](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52760-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N S81A-3009, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar International Inc S81A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S81A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s81a) (registry code 7487907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S81A-3009
- Airframe hours: 248
- Engines: Aero Engines
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Miles High Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 2001, 39 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Albuquerque, NM
- Destination: Albuquerque

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review March 6, 2001; flight hours: 2,874 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,874 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 20011010032259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011010032259A), Oct 10, 2001: Aerstr S81A, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. (-23) On 10/10/01 at 0830 MDT an Aerostar S81A balloon, N52760, contacted a small building during a high wind landing to a parking lot at the NM state…

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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