Aerostar S-57A N71072

Summary

On 28 May 2005 at about 00:40 local time, a Aerostar S-57A registered N71072 was involved in an accident near Sparta, Missouri, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 2005 at 00:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Sparta, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

37.0000, -93.0833

Aircraft

Aerostar S-57A

Registration

N71072

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sparta → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI05CA133

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inability to maintain a proper descent rate due to the wind gust resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the wind gust and the tree struck during the landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The balloon sustained minor damage and the pilot sustained serious injuries when a wind gust was encountered while descending for landing following a tethered flight. The two passengers on-board were not injured. The pilot reported that he obtained a preflight weather briefing during which he was advised that forecast winds were to be 7 knots. He noted that he departed from his residence on a free balloon flight. After take off the flight proceeded in an easterly direction and landed about 30 minutes later. He stated that no unusual weather activity was observed during that flight and winds remained light. The pilot stated that after landing he elected to provide tethered balloon rides for residents in the area. He reported that while descending to land after the final ride, while about 30 feet above ground level, a "strong north wind suddenly hit the balloon." He estimated the wind gust was 25 miles per hour. He stated that he could not hold the balloon and it began to travel toward the south at a "rapid speed," which resulted in a hard landing in the next field. He reported that he pulled the vent line in an attempt to deflate the balloon envelope. The pilot stated that he was subsequently "bounced out" of the basket and was dragged through the field. The balloon "relaunched" itself in the high wind and flew into a tree. He was no longer able to hold onto the vent line and fell about 20 feet to the ground. The pilot suffered a fractured pelvis and compressed vertebrae.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.