# NTSB DEN88LA045: Raven Rally RX7, N40364, Dona Ana, NM, December 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1987, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Dona Ana, NM
- Coordinates: 32.389183, -106.809005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3892&lon=-106.8090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, standing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - collapsed (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERICAL PLT WAS CONDUCTING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT IN HIS BALLOON. AFTER A ONE AND ONE HALF HOUR FLIGHT, HE LANDED BESIDE A PAVED ROAD. THE ENVELOPE COLLAPSED OVER A POWER LINE. THE GROUND CREWMAN SOMEHOW CONTACTED THE BALLOON AND WAS ELECTRICALLY SHOCKED. HE WAS AIR LIFTED TO A HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE MINOR INJURIES. THE BALLOON WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO OTHER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40364](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40364-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N RX7-306, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RALLY RX7
- 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: RX7-306
- Airframe hours: 193
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Szydlowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1986
- Departed: OLD MESSILLA, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; flight hours: 266 total, 135 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19871230072789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871230072789A), Dec 30, 1987: Raven RX7, Dona Ana, NM, Substantial damage. Landed on road upwind of powerlines. Envelope draped over line and arced. Ground crewman shocked.

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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