# NTSB NYC92LA014: Aerostar Raven S-60, N4057H, Trenton, NJ, October 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1991, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, NJ
- Location: 40.2238° N, 74.7636° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trenton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2238&lon=-74.7636&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 April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA014

## Probable cause

EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR WAS OVERLOADING OF THE BASKET.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING PHASE FOLLOWING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT ALLOWED AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE AND THE BASKET STRUCK THE GROUND AND TURNED OVER. THE FOUR PASSENGERS WERE JOSTLED IN THE BASKET WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR TWO OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4057H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4057H-2004-04-14), registration cancelled 2004-04-14, S/N S60A-187, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR RAVEN S-60
- Registry model: [Raven S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-60a) (registry code 7480606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-187
- Airframe hours: 370
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aire, Harrison
- Registered owner: Aire, Harrison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1991
- Departed: RINGOES, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 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 19911020062689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911020062689A), Oct 20, 1991: Raven S60A, Trenton, NJ. Balloon hit ground hard. Passenger broke ankle. Pasengers did not follow briefing. Basket designed for 2 persons

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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