# NTSB CHI82DA345: Raven S55, N4053P, Mattawan, MI, September 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1982, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Mattawan, MI
- Location: 42.2156° N, 85.7958° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mattawan, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2156&lon=-85.7958&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA345

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Explosion, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND STARTED TO BURN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HER ATTENTION WAS TEMPORARILY DISTRACTED AS THE BALLOON APPROACHED A CORRAL WITH HORSES AND SHE WAS ADJUSTING THE MANEUVERING VALVE FOR LANDING. THE STATED THAT SHE HEARD PEOPLE ON THE GROUND YELLING "WIRES," WITHIN "A SECOND LATER WE HIT THEM."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4053P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4053P-1982-09-23), registration cancelled 1982-09-23, S/N S55A-858 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S55
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-858
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kazoo Drifters
- Registered owner: Kazoo Drifters
- Departed: KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: KALAMAZOO, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 35 nm away

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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