# NTSB LAX06CA012: Aerostar RX-8, N5161Y, Globe, AZ, October 8, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Globe, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.349998, -110.666664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3500&lon=-110.6667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA012

## Probable cause

the pilot's encounter with a wind gust during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The balloon was damaged and the pilot injured after encountering a wind gust during a landing.  After receiving a weather report with no notation of adverse conditions, the pilot launched the balloon for a pleasure flight in the desert landscape.  After several hours he opted to touchdown below a ridge located next to a road.  After the basket contacted the surface, a gust of wind dragged the balloon over the ridge, resulting in substantial damage to the foot well and broomstick; the pilot sustained a broken ankle.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5161Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5161Y), registered now, S/N RX8-3318, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-8
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-8) (registry code 7487008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX8-3318
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Globe, AZ
- Destination: Globe, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; flight hours: 228 total, 180 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20051008029079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051008029079A), Oct 8, 2005: Arostr RX8, Globe, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Just after landing and prior to pilot and passenger exiting the basket, a sudden wind gust lifted the balloon 10 to 15 feet. The balloon then rapidly…

## Other investigations on N5161Y (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 CEN17CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA013), Oct 2, 2016: Aerostar RX-8 (N5161Y), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improperly planned landing, which resulted in a strike with power lines.

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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