Aerostar S53A N5236R

Summary

On 21 March 2024 at about 00:03 local time, a Aerostar S53A registered N5236R was involved in an accident near Rochester, Minnesota, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 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

21 March 2024 at 00:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

43.9598, -92.4657

Aircraft

Aerostar S53A

Registration

N5236R

Category

Balloon

Year built

2005

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rochester → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA139

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that as he was attempting to land the hot air balloon in a field, the wind shifted and increased in speed. The pilot attempted to abort the landing but was unable to arrest the ballon’s descent. The balloon contacted power lines which resulted in an electrical arc and a shower of sparks. The arc severed 12 of the 16 flying wires, and the remaining flying wires failed in a manner consistent with overload. The basket separated from the envelope and came to rest on its side. The balloon sustained substantial damage to the flying wires, attachment hardware, and the basket support structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. The wind at the time of the accident was 350° at 9 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.