No fatalities

AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8 accident at Canandaigua, NY, 8 Jul 2023

Canandaigua, NY, United States

On July 8, 2023, an AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8 was involved in an aviation accident near Canandaigua, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing, the passenger’s leg hitting the gas tank, and serious injury. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing, the passenger’s leg hitting the gas tank, and serious injury.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotDescent rate — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jul 2023 AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8 accident near Canandaigua, NY?

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing, the passenger’s leg hitting the gas tank, and serious injury.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jul 2023 AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jul 2023 involved an AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RX 8, at Canandaigua, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing, the passenger’s leg hitting the gas tank, and serious injury.