Aerostar S57-A accident near Avon, Colorado, July 14, 1991
On July 14, 1991 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Aerostar S57-A (balloon), registered N57053, was substantially damaged in an accident near Avon, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S ATTENTION BEING DIVERTED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 1991 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Avon, Colorado
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar S57-A
- Registration
- N57053 · no longer on the register · serial SS73052
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE BALLOON PILOT WAS LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND. HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED BY PERSONS ON THE GROUND AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHASE CREW. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW POWERLINES DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE PULLED THE DEFLATION LINE AND TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET. THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE POWERLINES, IGNITING SKIRT PANELS AND DRIPPING MELTED FABRIC ON THE OCCUPANTS.
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: 429 hours in all; 214 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 421 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Avon CO at 1:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.