# NTSB MKC88LA014: National Balloon 752, N72711, Ankeny, IA, October 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1987, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Ankeny, IA
- Coordinates: 41.720096, -93.599121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7201&lon=-93.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PROMOTIONAL BALLOON FLT, THE PLT STATED THAT ON AN APPROACH TO LND THE BASKET DRIFTED INTO A LARGE HAY BALE. THE BASKET TIPPED AND THE PLTS ANKLE WAS BROKEN WHEN CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BASKET AND A PROPANE TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72711](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72711-1997-02-05), registration cancelled 1997-02-05, S/N 0011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: National Balloon 752
- Registry model: [National Ballooning 752](https://openairdocs.org/model/national-ballooning-752) (registry code 6113310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 011
- Airframe hours: 22
- Engines: none 2 unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph Stonelooker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 240 total, 180 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19871021060979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871021060979A), Oct 21, 1987: Natbal 752, Ankeny, IA. Balloon drifted into large hay bale on landing. Basket tipped trapping pilots ankle between bale and propane tanks.

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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