# NTSB DEN82DTK07: Raven RX-7, N4010S, Phillip, SD, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1982, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Phillip, SD
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DTK07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTK07

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, standing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with object, other
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER THE FOURTH LANDING, THE BALLOON HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND ABOUT 8 MINUTES WHEN A WHIRL WIND SUDDENLY HIT THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON LIFTED UP ABOUT 2 TO 3 FT AND WAS BLOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A CHASE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS THROWN OUT OF THE GONDOLA, BUT LANDED SAFELY. THE OTHER PASSENGER'S SHOULDER WAS FRACTURED WHEN SHE HIT A PROPANE TANK DURING THE IMPACT. THE INJURED PASSENGER AND THE PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ASCENDED ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT. THE PILOT HEATED THE AIR IN THE BALLOON SO THAT IT WOULD REMAIN AT ALTITUDE UNTIL IT WAS FREED FROM THE WHIRL WIND. ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, THE WHIRL WIND DISSIPATED AND THE PILOT LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4010S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4010S-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N RX7-269, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX-7
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RALLY RX7](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (registry code 7480503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX-7 269
- Airframe hours: 22
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Burns
- Registered owner: Richard Burns
- Departed: PHILLIP, SD
- Destination: PHILLIP, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 121 total, 25 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 165 °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 19820822041229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820822041229A), Aug 22, 1982: Raven RX7, Philip, SD. A whirlwind gust blew balloon gondola into a truck during preparations for takeoff. Impact injured a passenger.

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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