Aerostar S57-A N57053
14 July 1991 · Avon, Colorado, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 14 July 1991 at about 14:15 local time, a Aerostar S57-A registered N57053, operated by Roland L. & Ruth B. Elkins, was involved in an accident near Avon, Colorado, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Avon, Colorado, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Aerostar S57-A
- Registration
- N57053
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Roland L. & Ruth B. Elkins
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Avon → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN91LA100
People
3 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S ATTENTION BEING DIVERTED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE BALLOON PILOT WAS LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND. HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED BY PERSONS ON THE GROUND AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHASE CREW. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW POWERLINES DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE PULLED THE DEFLATION LINE AND TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET. THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE POWERLINES, IGNITING SKIRT PANELS AND DRIPPING MELTED FABRIC ON THE OCCUPANTS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerostar S57 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2000 | Aerostar S57-A | Windermere, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 2005 | Aerostar S57-A | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 1991 | Enstrom F-28C | Evergreen, Colorado, United States | James B. Highbanks | No injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1991 | Cessna 172M | Erie, Colorado, United States | Tri-County Flight School | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-18-150 | Telluride, Colorado, United States | Christopher Carroll | No injuries | - |
| 30 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-24-250 | Ellicott, Colorado, United States | Southwest Aircraft Recovery | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Nov 1991 | Piper PA-28-161 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | P.c. Flyers | No injuries | - |
| 20 Nov 1991 | Cessna 172N | Boulder, Colorado, United States | Dakota Ridge Aviation | No injuries | - |