# NTSB LAX08CA209: Aerostar International S-77A, N9014W, Boulder, CO, July 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2008, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.060554, -105.207496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0606&lon=-105.2075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68379/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA209 ## Probable cause An encounter with a sudden gust of wind, which rendered the balloon uncontrollable and led to a collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: updraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Balloon/dirigible structures](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102/cases.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035102/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-77A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7487077), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot performed a normal cold-inflation of the balloon and instructed the passengers to board. The balloon was suddenly overcome by a gust of wind that pushed the envelope into a tree. The balloon was drawn upward by the wind, with its vent lines still entangled in the tree. As the lines became taut, sections of material ripped from the envelope, resulting in several long vertical tears. The pilot elected to abort the flight due to increasing wind speeds. The pilot attempted to gain control and stabilize the balloon, but it descended and collided with a tree. The basket came to rest about 20 feet above terrain. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he performed a normal cold-inflation of the balloon. He instructed the passengers to board and prepared for flight by arranging lines. The balloon was suddenly overcome by a gust of wind, pushing the envelope into a tree. The pilot elected to abort the flight due to increasing wind speeds. The balloon was suddenly dragged upward by the wind, but several rotation vent lines remained entangled in the tree. As the lines became taut, they ripped a section of material from the envelope, resulting in several long vertical tears (4 to 5 yards in length). The pilot opened the burners in an attempt to gain control. As the balloon's airspeed increased to the wind speed, it descended and the basket collided with the wall of a building. It was again pulled up by the wind, and the pilot again applied heat to gain control. The balloon descended, and collided with a tree. The basket came to rest about 20 feet above terrain. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon. He stated that the weather information he gathered via the Flight Service Station (FSS) did not predict wind gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9014W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9014W-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N S77A-3024, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC S-77A - Registry model: [Aerostar International S-77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-77a) (registry code 7487077) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S77A-3024 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Tommy Cederlund, doing business as Sunny Day Come Fly Away - Registered owner: Colorado Rocky Ballooning LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2008 - Departed: Boulder, CO - Airport: KBDU, Boulder Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; flight hours: 2,810 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: BJC, 12 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 20080702840569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080702840569A), Jul 2, 2008: Raven S77A, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On Wednesday July 2, 2008 at 06:13 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar S077A, N9014W, piloted by a commerical pilot, was substantially when it became… 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.