# NTSB DEN91LA001: Raven S-60A, N4264D, Harrison, AR, October 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1990, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Location: 36.2426° N, 93.1176° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harrison, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2426&lon=-93.1176&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA001

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND INACCURATE EVALUATION OF THE SURFACE WEATHER. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING HIS BALLOON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN HE ELECTED TO LAND. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN ESTIMATED 15 KNOT WIND. HE SAID THAT WHEN THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN, THE WIND STARTED TO DRAG THE BALLOON TOWARD SOME ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. HE JUMPED OUT OF THE BASKET JUST PRIOR TO THE BALLOON STRIKING THE WIRES. THE BALLOON SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ENVELOPE IN A POSTACCIDENT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4264D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4264D-1994-10-04), registration cancelled 1994-10-04, S/N S60A292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S-60A
- Registry model: [Raven S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-60a) (registry code 7480606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-292
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mike Mills
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901001043519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901001043519A), Oct 1, 1990: Raven S60A, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. Drifted into powerlines on landing. Student jumped prior impact. Balloon burned.

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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