AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC S-60A
Park City, UT — September 6, 2011
Event Information
| Date | September 6, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR11CA435 |
| Event ID | 20110906X61710 |
| Location | Park City, UT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.66972, -111.40472 |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC |
| Model | S-60A |
| Category | BALL |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 2 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 3 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon during the landing on uneven ground.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that after an uneventful sight-seeing balloon flight with two passengers, she initiated a landing when it was noted that the wind had changed direction and picked up speed to about 5 knots. A suitable place to land was identified, and after clearing power lines, a steep approach to land was made. The balloon touched down on uneven ground and the basket tipped. The pilot was venting at the time and when the basket touched down, the vent line pulled her partially out of the basket. The basket drug across the ground a few feet before becoming airborne again as the pilot continued to hang onto the vent line. The two passengers then jumped out of the basket and the vent line was ripped out of the pilot’s hands. The balloon continued flight and landed approximately ½ mile from the intended landing location. During the accident sequence the balloon was torn and the skirt was burnt.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.