# NTSB ANC84LA104: Raven S-55A, N5562L, Anchorage, AK, June 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1984, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220321, -149.849411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2203&lon=-149.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA104

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing

## Analysis

WHILE APCHG TO LAND ON A SCHOOL GROUND, THE BALLOON PLT LOWERED A DROP LINE FOR THE GROUND CREW, THEN LOOKED FORWARD & SAW A POWER LINE. HE TOLD THE GROUND CREW NOT TO TOUCH THE DROP LINE. THE DROP LINE CONTACTED & PULLED ONE POWER LINE INTO ANOTHER, CAUSING A SHORT. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE THEN DRAPED OVER AN OBSTRUCTION (OUTDOOR LIGHT), WHICH PIERCED THE ENVELOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5562L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5562L-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N S55A-555, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 555
- Airframe hours: 267
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erroll Drollinger
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1984, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840622028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840622028489A), Jun 22, 1984: Raven S55A, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Baloon struck powerline during approach for landing in athletic field.

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.

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