# NTSB DEN01LA092: Raven S55A, N40555, Albuquerque, NM, April 28, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 2001, 08:41 local (14:41 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.130332, -106.75032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1303&lon=-106.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA092

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during approach. A contributing factor was the power lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was approaching to land the balloon in an open field. The pilot stated that she was "aware that there were power lines to the right," and she made altitude adjustments to maintain clearance. The pilot did not see additional power lines in the area until just before impact.  The basket uprights contacted the wires. She opened the emergency dump valve and ventilated the envelope. The envelope became entangled in the power lines and was cut be in two. The basket then dropped approximately 30 to 40 feet. The broken power lines fell to the ground and burned a hole into the cement sidewalk.

## Factual narrative

On April 28, 2001, at 0841 mountain daylight time, a Raven S55A hot air balloon, N40555, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines while landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 0800.

The pilot was approaching to land in an open field. The pilot stated that she was "aware that there were power lines to the right," and she made altitude adjustments to maintain clearance.  The pilot did not see additional power lines in the area until just before impact.   The basket uprights contacted the wires.  She opened the emergency dump valve and ventilated the envelope. The envelope draped over the power lines and was cut in two.   The basket then dropped approximately 30 to 40 feet. The broken power lines fell to the ground and burned a hole into the cement sidewalk.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40555](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40555-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N S55A-859, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-859
- Airframe hours: 532
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Connie L. Pohlmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2001, 527 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Albuquerque, NM
- Destination: NONE, Albuquerque, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; last flight review August 24, 1999; flight hours: 38 total, 5 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ

## 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 20010428011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010428011079A), Apr 28, 2001: Raven S55A, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. (.19)On April 28, 2001, at 0841 mountain daylight time, a Raven S55A, N40555, was substantially damaged when it struck powerlines while landing in Albuquerque,…

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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