Aerostar S-60A N6534A

Summary

On 26 December 2020 at about 00:19 local time, a Aerostar S-60A registered N6534A was involved in an accident near Peoria, Arizona, United States. 3 people were on board and one 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

26 December 2020 at 00:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Peoria, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.5705, -112.2503

Aircraft

Aerostar S-60A

Registration

N6534A

Category

Balloon

Year built

1987

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Peoria → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA074

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the balloon reported that, during the touchdown sequence, the balloon encountered an updraft and was launched back into the air towards nearby powerlines. The envelope contacted the powerlines, became momentarily entangled and an arch of electricity substantially damaged and melted several panels of fabric. As the envelope released from the powerlines, the basket dropped to the ground and rolled on its side. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.