Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 260A accident near Custer, South Dakota, September 27, 2024
On September 27, 2024 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 2022 Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 260A (balloon), registered N605KD, was involved in an accident during landing near Custer, South Dakota. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The balloon landing in increased wind, which resulted in a hard landing and the serious injury of a passenger.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2024 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Custer, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Arbc INC DBA Lindstrand 260A, built 2022 · all 260As on the register
- Registration
- N605KD · registry record · serial 5770
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while aligning the balloon for the landing, he became aware of increasing wind speed. He briefed the passengers for a slightly faster landing and continued the approach. The pilot stated that he made the approach to the field at 6 knots and the ground crew were able to assist in slowing down the balloon during the landing. The basket briefly touched down and bounced twice before coming to rest. During the landing a passenger sustained a serious injury. The pilot stated that the injury was a result of another passenger crushing her against the wicker partition. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,301 hours in all; 157 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 2,256 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 14, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 167 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 13
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Flying Circus INC
The flight
- Departed from: NA Custer SD at 12:55 pm
- Destination: NA Custer SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from KCUT, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCUT 091353Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/07 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP120 T01610072=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
Other NTSB records under N605KD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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 CEN24LA369.