Aerostar S-77A N2867W

Summary

On 27 July 2002 at about 12:45 local time, a Aerostar S-77A registered N2867W, operated by Scott E, Nash, was involved in an accident near Custer, South Dakota, United States. 9 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 July 2002 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Custer, South Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Custer Park Airport (3V0)

Coordinates

43.7333, -103.6183

Aircraft

Aerostar S-77A

Registration

N2867W

Category

Balloon

Operator

Scott E, Nash

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Custer → Custer

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA216

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot of the balloon did not maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident include the variable winds and the inadequate compensation for the wind conditions by the pilot in command.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft experienced a hard landing while landing on an open prairie. The pilot reported that the balloon encountered increased winds at an altitude of approximately 200 feet. He stated that the lower level wind had picked up when he came in to land. He reported that he briefed his passengers for the landing, telling them to bend their knees and hold on. The pilot stated that the balloon contacted the ground on an upslope with a fairly steep incline just prior to the prairie and he pulled the top out of the balloon for fast deflation. According to the pilot, the balloon slid approximately 60 feet to the top of the incline and as it passed over the top of the incline the basket swung up and forward for about 30 to 40 feet. He stated that the basket then contacted the ground and slid to a rest within 50 to 60 feet. The pilot reported that another pilot in a balloon behind him used a GPS to check the winds while airborne. This pilot reported the winds were 27 miles per hour. An FAA Inspector who was at the balloon rally reported that approximately 10 minutes after the accident balloon's departure, the wind speed increased and the wind direction varied. He reported that this lasted for approximately 10 minutes then the winds calmed down.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.