# NTSB LAX03LA099: Aerostar International S-71A, N5285M, Scottsdale, AZ, February 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2003, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.733333, -111.933334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7333&lon=-111.9333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56552/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56552 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA099 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to cross over four sets of power lines with the existence of a known low fuel state and lack of wind, and failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the power lines during the landing, which resulted in the envelope contacting high voltage power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - wire,transmission - weather condition - unfavorable wind - fuel supply - low (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot made an emergency landing between power lines. Once the basket touched down, the envelope contacted high voltage lines and the voltage/spark arced to the ground. The envelope and basket sustained substantial damage. The pilot obtained local area weather briefings. He indicated that at the time of the accident there were no winds, and he was using more fuel than normal due to the lack of winds. The pilot noted a low fuel state and was crossing over power lines to get to an open space for landing. The balloon had crossed over three sets of power lines, when the pilot noted that he wasn't going to cross safely over the last set. He saw an open space between the third and fourth set of power lines and made an emergency landing. The pilot stated that he and the passengers did not feel voltage/spark in the basket. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2003, at 1015 mountain standard time, an Aerostar S-71A balloon, N5285M, made a precautionary landing between power lines near the intersection of Jomax Street and Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. After landing, while the pilot and passengers were still inside the basket, the envelope struck a power line. A volt of electricity struck the wire pyrometer and sent electricity through the envelope and basket. The basket and envelope were substantially damaged. The certificated airline transport pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area sightseeing flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the corner of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard in Scottsdale, about 0830 the morning of the accident. The flight was scheduled to terminate in the same general location. According to the pilot, he had received weather briefings from the Prescott Flight Service Station (FSS), Deer Valley Airport, and Scottsdale Airport (SDL). At the time of the accident, the pilot indicated that there were no winds, and he was using more fuel than normal due to the lack of winds. In the pilot's written statement he stated that initially the flight was gong to depart from the Marriott Desert Ridge hotel. However, due to weather they moved the equipment closer to SDL for greater visibilities. There was a group of six balloons. Once repositioned at the new takeoff site, the balloon pilots contacted SDL tower with their intended route of flight. The flight departed to the northwest. The pilot stated that some balloons went to the west. He stayed at a lower altitude, about 800 feet, and flew towards the north. The pilot stated that his intention, because it was open desert, was to stay low and land to the northwest. As the flight proceeded to the north he crossed over a large power station, and then descended to land. Due to horses and riders, he continued the flight in an easterly direction. The balloon crossed over Scottsdale Road and approached high voltage lines. The pilot stated that the power lines ran along a northeast/southwest direction and there were four sets. When the balloon climbed, the pilot changed the direction of travel to the northeast. The pilot stated that he was concerned about fuel. The balloon had burned 1.5 hours of fuel. He continued to cross the power lines at a 5-to 10-degree angle. He stated that he was not "making good progress crossing the lines." The balloon had crossed over three sets of power lines. Between the third and fourth set of power lines there was a large open space. He decided to make an "emergency landing between the lines." When the balloon came to a stop, the envelope touched the high voltage lines and arced to the ground. The pilot stated that he and the passengers did not feel voltage or sparks inside the basket. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5285M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5285M), registered now, S/N S71A-3023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar International Inc. S-71A - Registry model: [Aerostar International S-71A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-71a) (registry code 7487072) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S71-3023 - Airframe hours: 178.6 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Adventures Out West - Registered owner: Pl Leasing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2002, 93.9 hours before - Departed: SCOTTSDALE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 10, 2002; flight hours: 10,850 total, 100 in this make and model, 10,700 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SDL, 8 nm away ## 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 20030215002979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030215002979A), Feb 15, 2003: Aerstr S71A, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 20, 2003, about 1000 mountain standard time, an Aerostar S-71A balloon, N5285M, made a precautionary landing between power lines near the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56552. 367 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.