# NTSB LAX90LA048: Aerostar RX-7, N64997, Chandler, AZ, December 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1989, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320339, -111.820663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3203&lon=-111.8207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA048

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  VARIABLE AND HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A BALLOON RALLY, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN SHIFT & INCREASE IN WIND VELOCITY. HE ABORTED THE 1ST 2 ATTEMPTS TO LAND. AFTER THE 3RD APCH, THE BALLOON LANDED HARD. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN FOREARM AS THE BASKET BOUNCED & WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE LANDING AREA. THE PLT ESTD THE WIND HAD INCREASED TO ABOUT 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64997](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64997-2007-04-11), registration cancelled 2007-04-11, S/N RX7-3120, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-7
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RX-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-7) (registry code 7487007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Shluker, Steve
- Registered owner: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; flight hours: 131 total, 129 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891202049169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891202049169A), Dec 2, 1989: Raven RX7, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Encountered windshift on landing on third attempt to land. Impact was hard and a passenger was seriously injured.

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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