Aerostar S-77A N6317U
3 July 1995 · Davis, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 3 July 1995 at about 15:45 local time, a Aerostar S-77A registered N6317U was involved in an accident near Davis, California, United States. 10 people were on board and one died, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Davis, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.5499, -121.7993
- Aircraft
- Aerostar S-77A
- Registration
- N6317U
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Davis Woodland → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX95LA237
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudgement of the balloon's excessive rate-of-descent in a high wind landing and her inadequate remedial action to correct the condition.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE BALLOON WHEN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND RAPIDLY. THE BASKET CONTACTED THE GROUND, TIPPED FORWARD, AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE EJECTED. AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND WITH THE BASKET, THE BALLOON CONTINUED BACK INTO THE AIR. WINDS WERE REPORTED BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH AT THE TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHE HAD OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS ON WINDY LANDINGS. THE BALLOON MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE ARE NO ESTABLISHED WIND LIMITS (LAUNCH OR LANDING) FOR OPERATION OF THE BALLOON, AND THAT OPERATIONAL WIND LIMITATIONS ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PILOT, BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerostar S-77A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 1996 | Aerostar S-77A | Tucson, Arizona, United States | HOT Air Expeditions, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Nov 1990 | Aerostar S-77A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 2000 | Aerostar S-77A | River Falls, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Aug 2000 | Aerostar S-77A | Steamboat Spgs, Colorado, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2002 | Aerostar S-77A | Custer, South Dakota, United States | Scott E, Nash | Serious injuries | - |
| 3 Jun 2003 | Aerostar S-77A | Cottage Grove, Minnesota, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1995 | Ed Bergreen KIS | San Leandro, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Jun 1995 | Spreuer COZY | Oceanside, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1995 | Cessna 182P | Susanville, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jun 1995 | Cessna 150M | Turlock, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Jun 1995 | Piper PA-28-181 | Palm Springs, California, United States | Alan L. Kaplan | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jun 1995 | Piper PA-34-200 | Avalon, California, United States | Aero Club | No injuries | - |