Galaxy AX8 accident near Columbia, Missouri, November 3, 1996
On November 3, 1996 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Galaxy AX8 (balloon), registered N5347S, was involved in an accident near Columbia, Missouri. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the ditch, which was encountered during the landing; and high vegetation, which covered the ditch making it not visible to the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 3, 1996 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Galaxy AX8
- Registration
- N5347S · registry record · serial GLX-1038
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The balloon pilot selected an open field with two to three foot high weeds for landing. He stated that the landing was 'somewhat hard but within normal limits.' Also, he stated the basket tipped and was dragging across the field, when it contacted a three foot deep ditch. The basket came to a sudden stop after contacting the ditch, and two of the four passengers received broken arms.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 112 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 1996; 74 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.