# NTSB FTW96LA242: Aerostar S-60A, N63286, San Angelo, TX, June 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1996, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.280532, -100.409606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2805&lon=-100.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA242

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain altitude or clearance from a tree, during an approach to land in a field.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

During the final approach to land in a field, the basket of the hot air balloon struck the top of a mesquite tree. The pilot's foot was braced against the side of the basket at the point of contact with the tree, and the impact broke her ankle.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1996, at 0745 central daylight time, an Aerostar S-60A, N63286, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, sustained minor damage when it collided with a tree during an approach near San Angelo, Texas.  The private pilot was seriously injured and the three passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local pleasure flight and a flight plan was not filed.

According to the pilot, during the final approach to land in a field, the basket of the hot air balloon struck the top of a mesquite tree.  The pilot reported that her foot "was braced against the side of the basket" at the point of contact with the tree, and the impact broke her ankle.  After the balloon touched down, the three passengers exited the basket to attempt to untangle the basket from the mesquite tree.  At the same time, the pilot applied the burner in an attempt to maneuver the balloon away from the tree.  The combination of the added power and reduction of weight resulted in the balloon to becoming airborne again.  The pilot then landed the balloon a few miles away.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63286](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63286-2020-04-28), registration cancelled 2020-04-28, S/N S60A-3149, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S-60A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a) (registry code 7486060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-3149
- Airframe hours: 123
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gail M. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1996, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 131 total, 131 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960609033049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960609033049A), Jun 9, 1996: Raven S60A, San Angelo, TX, Minor damage. Struck tree on landing approach. Impact broke pilots ankle. Passengers exited. Balloon rose relanded safely.

## Other investigations on N63286 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW96LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA001), Oct 1, 1995: Aerostar S60A (N63286), Baton Rouge, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES DURING THE APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS THE SUDDEN WIND GUST.

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.