# NTSB DEN86LA229: Raven Aero Star S-66A, N2805F, Fort Collins, CO, August 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1986, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.589076, -105.129608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5891&lon=-105.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE BEGAN VENTING THE BALLOON IN PREPARATION FOR A LANDING IN A FIELD. THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT & STARTED DRIFTING TOWARD POWERLINES. THE PLT SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO ADD HEAT TO AVOID THE POWERLINES, SO HE HELD THE VENT OPEN AS WIDE AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE WIRES, WHICH ARCED & DAMAGED THREE PANELS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2805F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2805F-1992-04-29), registration cancelled 1992-04-29, S/N S66A3007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN AERO STAR S-66A (AERO STAR)
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-66a) (registry code 7486066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S66A-3007
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Hall And Darrell Moeller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FORT COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; flight hours: 83 total, 4 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19860809042119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860809042119A), Aug 9, 1986: Raven S66A, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. The balloon struck powerlines during landing.

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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