# NTSB CHI91LA244: Aerostar Raven 557A, N3621X, Indianola, IA, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1991, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Indianola, IA
- Coordinates: 41.360851, -93.560462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3609&lon=-93.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA244

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE COMPLACENCY AND DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT BALLOON COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES WHILE COMPETING IN AN ANNUAL BALLOON COMPETITION.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DESCEND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE POWERLINES.  THE BASKET STRUCK THE POWERLINES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE BURNER TO CLIMB OVER THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3621X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3621X-2003-02-03), registration cancelled 2003-02-03, S/N S57A-3083, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR RAVEN 557A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S57-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s57-a) (registry code 7485057) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 557A-3083
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freedom Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; flight hours: 149 total, 149 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: DSM, 15 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 19910804031299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910804031299A), Aug 4, 1991: Raven S57A, Indianola, IA, Substantial damage. Struck wires,bounced off and landed safely. Got too close to wires during annual balloon race.

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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