# NTSB LAX96LA089: Aerostar RX-8, N70107, Lucerne Valley, CA, December 30, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1995, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Lucerne Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.519145, -116.880859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5191&lon=-116.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA089

## Probable cause

the balloon's encounter with unexpected high wind conditions, and the pilot's inability to stop the balloon prior to contacting ground obstructions.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the first flight of the morning was completed successfully, and new passengers were boarded for the accident flight.  As the balloon achieved 3,000 feet agl during the flight, the ground crew radioed the pilot that the surface winds were rapidly increasing and were now at 20 knots.  The pilot initiated a high wind landing in a field by actuating the top vent at 18 feet agl.  The balloon touched down firmly and was dragged by the winds about 1,500 feet along the ground until it was stopped by a chain link fence and metal shed.

## Factual narrative

On December 30, 1995, at 0845 hours Pacific standard time, an Aerostar RX-8 balloon, N70107, sustained substantial damage during a high wind landing at Lucerne Valley, California.  The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot and was engaged in a for-hire sightseeing flight with two passengers.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The balloon envelope and basket sustained substantial damage in the ground contact and obstacle collision sequence.  The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured.  The flight originated at Apple Valley, California, on the day of the accident at 0815 as a local area flight.

The pilot reported that the first flight of the morning was completed successfully and new passengers were boarded for the accident flight.  As the balloon achieved 3,000 feet agl during the flight, the ground crew radioed the pilot that the surface winds were rapidly increasing and were now at 20 knots.  The pilot initiated a high wind landing in a field by actuating the top vent at 18 feet agl.  The balloon touched down firmly and was drug by the winds about 1,500 feet along the ground until it was stopped by a chain link fence and metal shed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70107](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70107-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N RX8-3198, built 1994 (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: 3198
- Airframe hours: 189
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold W. Ludwig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1994, 89 hours before
- Departed: APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; flight hours: 350 total, 123 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19951230043199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951230043199A), Dec 30, 1995: Arostr RX8, Lucerne Valley, CA, Substantial damage. High wind landing. Dragged 1500 feet on landing. Stopped by chain link fence and metal shed. Wind too much for ops.

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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