# NTSB LAX99LA178: Aerostar S-60A, N3592Z, Clarkdale, AZ, May 9, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1999, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Clarkdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.789493, -112.099029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7895&lon=-112.0990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA178

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain during a high wind condition.  Contributing factors were the high winds and the tree.

## 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
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot and four fare-paying passengers departed for a local sightseeing flight.  The flight was uneventful.  The passengers received safety briefings and wore helmets during the high wind landing, in an 8-knot wind.  After touchdown, the pilot ripped out the balloon's top, but the basket was dragged about 10 feet before coming to rest in terrain which had vegetation over 1/2 of its surface.  During the slide, a tree branch penetrated the basket through a passenger's step hole.  The branch contacted a passenger's leg, which resulted in a serious injury.

## Factual narrative

On May 9, 1999, about 0700 hours mountain standard time, an Aerostar International, Inc., S-60A balloon, N3592Z, operated by the Aerozona Balloon Company, Sedona, Arizona, made a high wind landing near Clarkdale, Arizona.  The balloon was not damaged.  The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; the fourth passenger was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 aerial sightseeing passenger flight.  The planned local area revenue flight commenced from Black Canyon, Arizona, about 0605.

The pilot reported that he performed a high wind landing, and all of the passengers were wearing safety helmets.  The pilot stated that he ripped open the envelope's top after touchdown.  The basket was dragged about 10 feet before coming to rest in terrain, which had vegetation over 1/2 of its surface.  While being dragged, a branch/limb from a small tree penetrated the basket through the passenger's step hole.  The branch contacted a passenger's leg, which resulted in a serious injury.

The pilot indicated that the local wind was from 140 degrees, at 8 knots.  The visibility was 50 miles.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3592Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3592Z-2011-07-18), registration cancelled 2011-07-18, S/N S60A-3104, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerostar S-60A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a) (registry code 7486060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-3104
- Airframe hours: 426
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: David Windwalker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1998, 40 hours before
- Departed: BLACK CANYON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 9,400 total, 305 in this make and model, 8,407 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 23 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 19990509022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990509022049A), May 9, 1999: Raven S60A, Clarkdale, AZ. On may 9, 1999, about 0700 hours mountain standard time, an Aerostar international, inc., S-60A balloon, N3592Z, operated by the aerozona balloon company,…

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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