Aerostar International RX 8 accident near Grove City, Ohio, June 21, 2003
On June 21, 2003 at about 12:00 pm local time, a Aerostar International RX 8 (balloon), registered N71696, was involved in an accident near Grove City, Ohio. It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passengers failure to maintain her balance inside the balloon basket.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2003 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Grove City, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar International RX 8
- Registration
- N71696 · registry record · serial 3265
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the balloon was setting down, the basket "wobbled a little," and a passenger slipped on the floor, breaking her ankle.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 381 hours in all; 1 in the last 30 days; 381 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 20, 2002
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 122 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 12, 2003; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 400 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Grove City OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 am from CMH, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC03LA143.