Aerostar International INC S-60A accident near Peoria, Arizona, December 26, 2020
On December 26, 2020, a 1987 Aerostar International INC S-60A (balloon), registered N6534A, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Peoria, Arizona. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 26, 2020
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerostar International INC S-60A, built 1987 · all S-60As on the register
- Registration
- N6534A · no longer on the register · serial S60A-3071
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the balloon reported that, during the touchdown sequence, the balloon encountered an updraft and was launched back into the air towards nearby powerlines. The envelope contacted the powerlines, became momentarily entangled and an arch of electricity substantially damaged and melted several panels of fabric. As the envelope released from the powerlines, the basket dropped to the ground and rolled on its side. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during landing defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Updraft › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Last flight review: October 20, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 12,499 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Peoria AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 2 knots, gusting 20
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.