# Accident 19991113044759A: Raven RX7, Phoenix, AZ, November 13, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 13, 1999, 08:00 local time
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.6795° N, 112.0907° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6795&lon=-112.0907&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4046M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4046M-2004-12-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Raven Industries RALLY RX7 (registry code 7480503, https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX7
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 85 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX00LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA033) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991113044759A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT^PRIVAC^ DEPARTED IN CALM WINDS. WIND INCREASED DURING FLIGHT APPROACH TO MTN. REQUIRED A DECISION TO DESCENT OR CLIMB, PILOT CHOSE TO TRY.TO CLIMB OVER MOUNTAIN AND STRUCK GONDOLA APPROX. 12 FT. FROM TOP DRAGGING TWO GONDOLAS.CONTINUED FLIGHT TO A SAFE LANDING SEVERAL MILES FROM IMPACT POINT. DAMAGE TO GONDOLA WAS SUBSTANTIAL DUE TO ROCKS ON PEAK OF MTN. (.4)ON NOVEMBER 13, 1999, ABOUT 0800 HOURS MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A RAVEN RX-7 BALLOON, N4046M, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER COLLIDING WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ON THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN NEAR PHOENIX, ARIZONA. THE PRIVATE PILOT OWNED AND OPERATED THE BALLOON UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES; ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT DEPARTED FROM THE JUNCTURE OF INTERSTATE 17 AND HAPPY VALLEY ROAD ABOUT 0715. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACCIDENT COORDINATOR THAT WINDS WERE CALM AT DEPARTURE. A PASSENGER REPORTED THE TAKEOFF WAS SMOOTH. AS THE FLIGHT PROCEEDED, THE BALLOON APPROACHED A STEEP MOUNTAIN AND THE PILOT INITIATED A CLI      MB. HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN AND SECURED THE HEAT PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE GROUND NEAR THE MOUNTAIN CREST, TURNING THE GONDOLA ON ITS SIDE. THE BALLOON DRIFTED OFF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, THE PILOT REAPPLIED HEAT, AND FLEW SEVERAL MILES BEFORE COMPLETING AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. A CHILD PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG, AND THE GONDOLA SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT FAILED TO SUBMIT A PILOT/OPERATOR REPORT. A SAFETY BOARD FORM 6120.1/2 WAS SENT CERTIFIED MAIL AND WAS UNDELIVERABLE AT THE ADDRESS THE PILOT PROVIDED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX00LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA033), Nov 13, 1999: Raven RX-7 (N4046M), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in initiating a climb and his subsequent failure to attain and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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