# NTSB NYC92LA177: Aerostar AX-9, N28267, Hopkinton, MA, August 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1992, 08:48 local (12:48 UTC)
- Place: Hopkinton, MA
- Location: 42.2256° N, 71.5241° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hopkinton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2256&lon=-71.5241&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA177

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DUE TO THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA, THE PILOT CONTINUED FLIGHT UNTIL HE EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE BALLOON SETTLED INTO TREES WHERE TWO PASSENGERS WERE OFFLOADED.  THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT WITH TWO PASSENGER OUT OF THE BASKET, THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH RESIDUAL LIFT TO LIFT THE BALLOON CLEAR OF THE TREES; HOWEVER, THE BALLOON ONLY MOVED ABOUT 20 FEET AND SETTLED BACK INTO THE TREES.  WHILE SETTLING TO THE GROUND SEVERAL SIDE PANELS OF THE BALLOON WERE RIPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28267-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N S66A-3001, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR AX-9
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-66a) (registry code 7486066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S66A-3001
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Mario Distefano, doing business as Bellavia Balloon Company
- Registered owner: Mario Distefano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Departed: WESTBORO, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; flight hours: 602 total, 270 in this make and model, 602 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920822032819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920822032819A), Aug 22, 1992: Raven S66A, Hopkinton, MA, Substantial damage. Forced down into trees after fuel exhaustion. One hour flight stretched to two hours. Lacked suitable landing area.

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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