# NTSB DEN73DQA45: Raven S-55A, N1969R, Albuquerque, NM, June 3, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 3, 1973
- Place: Albuquerque, NM · ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 190225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73DQA45
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DQA45

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1529   73/6/3    ALBUQUERQUE,N MEX   RAVEN S-55A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 45
        TIME - 1215                    N1969R              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ALAMEDA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      71
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          220                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- INSUFFICIENT HOT AIR FOR RAPID ASCENT TO CLEAR PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1969R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55A
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Alameda

## 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 19730603015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730603015219A), Jun 3, 1973: Raven S55A, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Insufficient hot air for rapid ascent to clear pwr lines.

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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