# NTSB DEN89LA161: Raven RX-7, N4069H, Albuquerque, NM, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1989, 07:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.100677, -106.519004 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1007&lon=-106.5190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA161

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND A PAX WERE TAKING PART IN AN ORGANIZED BALLOON FIESTA NEAR ALBEQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. THE PLT SAID THAT HE FAILED TO SEE FOUR POWER LINES ACROSS THE LANDING AREA, IN TIME TO AVOID THEM. HE SAID THE POWER LINES STRUCK THE ENVELOPE ABOVE THE BURNER AND DAMAGED THE ENVELOPE AND BASKET BEYOND REPAIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4069H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4069H-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N RX7-316, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX-7
- 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: RX7-316
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, ALBUQUERQU, NM
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; flight hours: 151 total, 137 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 10 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 19890708020919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890708020919A), Jul 8, 1989: Raven RX7, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines trying to land during balloon festival.

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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