# NTSB DEN89LA145: Raven S77A, N4207U, Rio Rancho, NM, June 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1989, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Rio Rancho, NM
- Coordinates: 35.270454, -106.659828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2705&lon=-106.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA145

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING DUE TO THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ACCURATELY EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG WITH A DELAY IN MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE HIGH WINDS AND WIND SHEAR ALONG WITH ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON PILOT TOOK OFF WITH 8 PASSENGERS ON A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. LATER INTO THE FLIGHT, THE WINDS STARTED TO INCREASE AND SUITABLE LANDING AREAS BECAME SCARCE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON A MESA. SHE SAID SHE GAVE THE PASSENGERS TWO HIGH WIND LANDING BRIEFINGS. DURING THE ENSUING HARD LANDING, ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ARM AND ANOTHER PASSENGER FRACTURED A FOOT. THE BALLOON WAS NOT DAMAGED. ALBUQUERQUE, NM, AT 0750 MDT REPORTED THE WIND FROM 220 DEGREES AT 10 KTS WITH NO GUSTS. THIS WAS 15 NM FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WHERE THE PLT REPT 15KT WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS AND A LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4207U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4207U-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N S77A-108, 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: S77A-108
- Airframe hours: 278
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: World Balloon Corporation
- Registered owner: World Balloon Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1989, 29 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; flight hours: 830 total, 219 in this make and model, 815 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 15 nm away

## 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 19890621017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890621017069A), Jun 21, 1989: Raven S77A, Rio Rancho, NM. Wind picked up after 30 minute flight. Bounced on hard landing. Basket tipped over and dragged. Two passengers hurt

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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