# NTSB WPR21LA074: Aerostar International S-60A, N6534A, Peoria, AZ, December 26, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 25, 2020, 17:19 local (Dec 26, 2020, 00:19 UTC)
- Place: Peoria, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.5705, -112.2503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5705&lon=-112.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA074

## Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: updraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aerostar International S-60A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md?model=7486060), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-60A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7486060), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Aerostar International S-60A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7486060), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-60A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7486060), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Aerostar International S-60A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7486060), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the balloon reported that, during the touchdown sequence, the balloon encountered an updraft and was launched back into the air towards nearby powerlines. The envelope contacted the powerlines, became momentarily entangled and an arch of electricity substantially damaged and melted several panels of fabric. As the envelope released from the powerlines, the basket dropped to the ground and rolled on its side. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6534A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6534A-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N S60A-3071, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC 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-3071
- Year built: 1987
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon
- Departed: Peoria, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2020; seat: none; restraint: none

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 2 knots, gusting 20
- 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 20201225020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201225020569A), Dec 25, 2020: Aerostar International Inc S-60A, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. On December 25, 2020 we picked up our passengers in the afternoon at approximately 3:45 and proceeded to our proposed launch site at the cap canal and lake…

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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