Summary
On August 08, 1995, a Aerostar S-81-A (N9174Z) was involved in an accident near Custer, SD. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries, 6 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions.
On August 8, 1995, at 0710 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar S- 81-A (hot air balloon), N9174Z, registered to and operated by Black Hills Balloons of Custer, South Dakota, was substantially damaged during a hard landing one and one-half miles north of Custer, South Dakota. The pilot and five passengers reported minor injuries. Two passengers sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing hot air balloon was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI95LA262. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9174Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 8, 1995, at 0710 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar S- 81-A (hot air balloon), N9174Z, registered to and operated by Black Hills Balloons of Custer, South Dakota, was substantially damaged during a hard landing one and one-half miles north of Custer, South Dakota. The pilot and five passengers reported minor injuries. Two passengers sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing hot air balloon was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed from an open field near Custer, South Dakota, at 0615.
The pilot stated, "Upon landing an incredible gust of wind picked the balloon up and carried it across the road into some pine trees."
A weather special observation taken 25 miles to the northeast of the accident site at 0737, contained in the remarks section the notation that there was a windshift at 0734 with frontal passage. The previous surface observation at 0650 reported wind as 120 degrees at 6 knots; whereas the special observation at 0737 reported wind as 010 degrees at 13 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI95LA262