Aerostar International INC RX-7 accident near Amsterdam, New York, September 13, 2024
On September 13, 2024 at about 10:35 pm local time, a 2002 Aerostar International INC RX-7 (balloon), registered N53081, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Amsterdam, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines during final approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2024 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Amsterdam, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar International INC RX-7, built 2002 · all RX-7s on the register
- Registration
- N53081 · registry record · serial RX7-3344
- 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 he launched his hot air balloon for a brief solo flight with the intent of practicing maneuvers during calm wind conditions. Shortly after departure, he prepared for landing on a spot about 1/4-mile away that consisted of a flat harvested corn field. During the landing approach, he observed a powerline perpendicular to his final approach and landing target. He initially thought about climbing, but realized the balloon would not react fast enough, so he opened the vent to deflate the envelope and descend. The balloon envelope did not vent quickly enough and the balloon drifted into the powerlines, resulting in electrical arcing until the electrical breaker shut off. The basket settled onto the ground and the balloon envelope remained partially inflated and draped over the powerlines. The arcing resulted in substantial damage to the balloon; 6 cables were severed and there were multiple burn holes in the envelope. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the balloon that would have precluded normal operation or performance.
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 defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 54 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 54 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 365.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 10, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,480 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Charlton NY at 9:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from SCH, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSCH 132053Z 11004KT 10SM SCT048 SCT055 27/17 A3020
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 21, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array_accident Site and Damage | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.