# NTSB DEN89LA013: Raven S-60A, N3592C, Albuquerque, NM, October 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1988, 11:31 local (17:31 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT, WITH TWO PAX ABOARD A HOT AIR BALLOON, PARTICIPATED IN THE 1988 ALBUQUERQUE, NM INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA. THE PLT SAID HE RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AND THEN DEPARTED IN VFR WX CONDITIONS. AFTER APRX 45 MIN OF FLT, THE PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED UNPREDICTED ADVERSE WINDS. THE BALLOON BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. HE SAID HE HIT THE GROUND SEVERAL TIME BEFORE COMING TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3592C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3592C), registered now, S/N S60A-3098, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-60A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a) (registry code 7486060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-3098
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Circus Circus Hotel
- Registered owner: Circus Circus Hotel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 266 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °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 19881009045689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881009045689A), Oct 9, 1988: Raven S60A, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Encountered windshear and severe downdraft hit ground three times before being dragged into a barbed 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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