# NTSB CHI82DA126: Raven RX-6, N2224R, Sellersburg, IN, April 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1982, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Sellersburg, IN
- Coordinates: 38.389289, -85.75003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3893&lon=-85.7500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA126

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, standing
  - balloon equipment,basket - burned (contributing factor)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - burned (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING APPROACH, THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF POWERLINES TO THE LEFT OF HIS COURSE. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE BECAME AWARE OF A BRANCH OFF OF THE POWERLINES THAT CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE BALLOON'S PATH. HE RIPPED OUT THE TOP INFLATION PANEL; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE POWERLINES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE TOP WIRE SEPARATED AND STARTED A GRASS FIRE THAT ULTIMATELY SPREAD AND DESTROYED THE BASKET AND ENVELOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2224R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX-6
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 295
- Airframe hours: 107
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul A. Bender
- Registered owner: Paul A. Bender
- Departed: SILVER LAKE, IN
- Destination: SILVER LAKE, IN
- Airport: 941, Clark County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 106 total, 103 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 19820418009639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820418009639A), Apr 18, 1982: Raven RX6, Sellersburg, IN, Destroyed. Unable to see powerline on landing due to setting sun. Balloon draped over wires, caught fire and burned.

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.