# NTSB NYC91FA046: Aerostar S-60A, N3589J, Columbus, OH, December 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1990, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Location: 39.9612° N, 82.9988° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbus, OH, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9612&lon=-82.9988&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA046

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TEMPERATURE INVERSION WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, climb
  - object - electrical tower (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - balloon equipment,envelope - failure,partial
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BALLOON DEPARTED FROM A FIELD ABOUT 4 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT SITE.  WITNESSES SAW THE BALLOON DRIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AT LOW ALTITUDE.  SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THAT AS THE BALLOON NEARED A 1029 FT TALL TV ANTENNA, IT BEGAN TO ASCEND RAPIDLY & ITS HORIZONTAL SPEED INCREASED.  HOWEVER, THE BALLOONS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE TOP OF THE ANTENA.  BOTH THE ENVELOPE & GONDOLA FELL INTO A WOODED AREA.  A WEATHER STUDY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE INVERSION & THAT THE WIND VELOCITY INCREASED FROM ABOUT 4 KTS AT THE SURFACE TO ABOUT 13 KTS AT 3000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3589J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3589J-1995-03-13), registration cancelled 1995-03-13, S/N S60A3095 (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)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A3095
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Icchc Corporation
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; toxicology performed; flight hours: 552 total, 47 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH

## 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 19901211053819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901211053819A), Dec 11, 1990: Raven S60A, Columbus, OH, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck top of a tv tower at high speed drift. Gondola fell to ground. Wind 30 knots. Three balloon pilots onboard.

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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