# NTSB CHI85LA367: Raven AX-9, N4196N, Blaine, MN, September 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1985, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Blaine, MN
- Coordinates: 45.159564, -93.249099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1596&lon=-93.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA367
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA367

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ONE HOUR BALLOON SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL. DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA HE DECIDED THAT HIS FORWARD VELOCITY WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND WITHOUT HITTING HOUSES OR POWERLINES BELOW THE BALLOON. ACCORDING TO HIM HE BURNED FUEL TO ATTEMPT A LEVEL OFF BUT DIDN'T BURN ENOUGH FUEL TO ARREST HIS DESCENT COMPLETELY. THE BALLOON STRUCK A MAPLE TREE AND THE GONDOLA MOMENTARILY BECAME CAUGHT ON A BRANCH. THE BRANCH GAVE WAY AND THE GONDOLA FELL TO THE GROUND HARD ENOUGH TO SERIOUSLY INJURE TWO OF THE SEVEN BALLOON OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4196N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4196N-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N S66A-137, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN AX-9
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-66a) (registry code 7480612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 566A-137
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wiederkehr Balloons Int'L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 19 hours before
- Departed: LAKELAND, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; flight hours: 116 total, 6 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850902047329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850902047329A), Sep 2, 1985: Raven S66A, Blaine, MN, Substantial damage. Struck a tree during descent to land. Gondola slid down tree and impacted ground. Passengers lost grip on basket.

## Other investigations on N4196N (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 CHI87LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA034), Nov 2, 1986: Raven S-66A (N4196N), Baldwin, WI, no damage

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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