# NTSB CHI00LA270: Raven AS-55A, N1073R, Lincoln, IL, August 25, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2000, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, IL - Coordinates: 40.15018, -89.35942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1502&lon=-89.3594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50097/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA270 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's attention was diverted and the power lines which the balloon contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent ## Analysis The balloon contacted power lines shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported he was preoccupied with a radio transmission and with looking for the keys to the chase van, which he had in his pocket. He reported that when he looked up the balloon was close to power lines. He reported they were too close to the power lines to fire the burner. The balloon contacted the power lines. The pilot then vented the balloon and it descended to the ground where he and the passenger exited the basket. The balloon continued across a road where it contacted additional power lines. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2000, at 1820 central daylight time, a Raven AS-55A, N1073R, collided with power lines shortly after takeoff from the Lincoln Fairgrounds, Lincoln, Illinois. The commercial balloon pilot and his passenger were not injured. The balloon was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated just prior to the accident. The pilot reported that after lift-off, "I was preoccupied with radio transmission and looking for keys to the chase van that I had in my pocket. I threw key to ground. It felt like a slight false lift, looked up and was descending and very close to power lines. Told passenger not to touch anything as was too close to power lines to burn. We contacted the lines, there was an arch. I quickly vented off. My decision not to rip out was because my rip line has cable on top and also metal ring where it is secured to my uprights. The vent line has no metal attachment - also due to height." The pilot reported that the basket slid down the wire to the ground where he and the passenger exited the basket. He reported that the balloon continued across a road where it contacted additional power lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1073R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1073R-2001-03-01), registration cancelled 2001-03-01, S/N S55A-260 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Raven AS-55A - Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 260 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George A. Norman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SPI, 29 nm away ## 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 20000825036319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000825036319A), Aug 25, 2000: Raven S55A, Lincoln, IL, No damage. (-23)The pilot of N1073R, a Raven hot air balloon, lifted off from the logan county fairground racetrack, Lincoln, Illinois, in a free flight balloon event… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.