Aerostar International RX-8 accident near Denton, Texas, August 19, 2005
On August 19, 2005 at about 1:40 pm local time, a Aerostar International RX-8 (balloon), registered N6339G, was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger's failure to follow landing instructions, which resulted in serious injury. A contributing factor was the high wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2005 · about 1:40 pm local time
- Place
- Denton, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar International RX-8
- Registration
- N6339G · registry record · serial RX8-3118
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 700-hour commercial pilot, with about 400-hours in balloons, was assigned two passengers for a non-revenue media flight. The pilot cautioned the passengers that the winds at landing could be eight to ten miles per hour (mph), and that the landing could be bumpy. He briefed both passengers on landing procedures, reminding them throughout the flight and landing approach to flex their knees, hold on, and stay in the basket. Upon landing the injured passenger immediately stated that she had broken her ankle. The pilot reported the landing impact was "moderate with no rebound." The second passenger reported the landing as "firm, but not violent." After landing the balloon dragged about 125 feet before coming to rest. The pilot reported the winds were from the south-southwest 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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 640 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 140 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Highland Villag TX at 7:30 am
- Destination: Denton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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.