# NTSB DEN85LA127: Raven S77A, N4199G, Fort Collins, CO, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Location: 40.5853° N, 105.0844° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Collins, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5853&lon=-105.0844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - lack of (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - lack of (cause)
  - balloon equipment,basket - inadequate (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON BASKET CONTAINING 8 PASS'G & 2 CREWMEMBERS BRUSHED ALONGSIDE A FENCE DURING LNDG. ONE PASS'G WHO HAD BEEN JOSTLED BY THE LANDING BECAME A VICTIM OF 1ACERATIONS & A BROKEN ARM FROM CONTACT WITH BARBED WIRE FENCE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING AND SHIFTED DIRECTIONS JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN WHICH DRIFTED THE BALLOON TOWARD THE FENCE. THE WIND WAS 180 DEGREES AT 10 KTS, GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THE FENCE, BUT THE BALLOONS RESPONSE WAS TOO SLOW. THIS LED TO THE VICTIMS INJUUIES BY BEING CAUGHT BETWEEN FENCE ANC BASKET. THE EVLUATION OF THE WX BEFORE TAKE OFF SHOWED THE WX STABLE ENOUGH FOR INFLATION & TAKEOFF. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF POTENTIAL FOR LNDG. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING NORTH AT 15 MPH. THIS SPEED DID NOT DECREASE AS THE ACFT DESCENDED FOR LNDG AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF FREE FLT. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 25 FLT HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF BALLOON OF WHICH 2 WAS DUAL (INSTRUCTIONAL).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4199G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4199G-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N S77A-103, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S77A
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s77a) (registry code 7480650) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 577A-103
- Airframe hours: 131
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Circle Crest Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 69 hours before
- Departed: FORT COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19850505017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505017639A), May 5, 1985: Raven S77A, Ft Collins, CO. Passenger injured during landing when gondola came in contact with barb wire fence.

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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