# NTSB DEN81DTE65: Raven RX-6, N5557B, Golden, CO, August 5, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 5, 1981
- Place: Golden, CO · GOLDEN, CO
- Location: 39.7425° N, 105.2106° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Golden, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7425&lon=-105.2106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81DTE65
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTE65

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3304   81/8/5  NR.GOLDEN,CO          RAVEN RX-6          CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 58, 2665
        TIME - 0830                    N5557B              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 120 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-NONE         OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GOLDEN,CO                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          NONE                                                      5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WND SHIFTED,BGN BLOWING BLN TWD MTNS.UN CHG COURSE BY CLBG.ENCTRD WND GSTG 20KTS DRG LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5557B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5557B-1991-01-02), registration cancelled 1991-01-02, S/N RX6340 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX-6
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RX6](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rx6) (registry code 7480502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: No damage

## 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 19810805049479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810805049479A), Aug 5, 1981: Raven RX6, Kittredge, CO. Strong surface wind slammed gondola into a ditch during landing. Pilot inexprienced in mountain flying.

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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