Aerostar SA-60A N63069

Summary

On 20 October 2001 at about 13:30 local time, a Aerostar SA-60A registered N63069 was involved in an accident near Luxor, Pennsylvania, United States. 5 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 October 2001 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Luxor, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.3000, -79.5000

Aircraft

Aerostar SA-60A

Registration

N63069

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bovard → Luxor

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD02LA005

4 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent inability to avoid power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After an uneventful sightseeing flight, and during an approach to a landing, the balloon struck powerlines on the windward side of the landing zone. The pilot stated that the balloon got caught in a downdraft and that it was impossible to gain enough altitude to clear the wires. Each of the four passengers reported that there was no downdraft, and that the pilot did not activate the burners, take any remedial action, or issue any warnings prior to collision with the powerlines. After the accident, the pilot reported to fire department personnel that his fuel tanks were empty. Weather at the time included visual meteorological conditions and winds at 8 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.