Aerostar International INC S53A accident near Rochester, Minnesota, March 21, 2024
On March 21, 2024, a 2005 Aerostar International INC S53A (balloon), registered N5236R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Rochester, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2024
- Place
- Rochester, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar International INC S53A, built 2005 · all S53As on the register
- Registration
- N5236R · registry record · serial S53A-3091
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 852 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 28 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 19, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 170 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 22, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Rochester MN at 11:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point -2°F (-19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from KRST, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRST 210000Z AUTO 35009KT 10SM M03/M19 A3016 RMK T10301190 MADISHF,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24LA139.