Aerostar SA-60A accident near Luxor, Pennsylvania, October 20, 2001
On October 20, 2001 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Aerostar SA-60A (balloon), registered N63069, was substantially damaged in an accident near Luxor, Pennsylvania. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent inability to avoid power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 2001 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Luxor, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar SA-60A
- Registration
- N63069 · no longer on the register · serial S60A-3141
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After an uneventful sightseeing flight, and during an approach to a landing, the balloon struck powerlines on the windward side of the landing zone. The pilot stated that the balloon got caught in a downdraft and that it was impossible to gain enough altitude to clear the wires. Each of the four passengers reported that there was no downdraft, and that the pilot did not activate the burners, take any remedial action, or issue any warnings prior to collision with the powerlines. After the accident, the pilot reported to fire department personnel that his fuel tanks were empty. Weather at the time included visual meteorological conditions and winds at 8 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: rotorcraft: airship; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,139 hours in all; 43 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 2,139 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 29, 2000
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 268 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 23, 2001; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Bovard PA at 12:15 pm
- Destination: Luxor PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,600 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 12:45 pm from KLBE, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N63069 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.