# NTSB DEN91LA003: Raven S-55A, N4062H, Bernalillo, NM, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 10:32 local (16:32 UTC)
- Place: Bernalillo, NM
- Coordinates: 35.309913, -106.550552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3099&lon=-106.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, other
  - balloon equipment,suspension system/cables - arcing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DRIFTING WITH THE WIND DURING A BALLOON FIESTA. WITNESSES SAID THE BALLOON STRUCK POWER LINES ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CHASE CREW SAID ONE OF THE MEN TRIED TO SLIDE DOWN A ROPE BUT LOST HIS GRIP AND FELL TO THE TERRAIN. THE WITNESSES SAID THE OTHER MAN GRABBED THE POWER LINE AND HELD ON FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN FELL TO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4062H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4062H-1991-06-07), registration cancelled 1991-06-07, S/N S55A864 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S-55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-864
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen M. Fallacy
- Departed: NONE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 200 total, 50 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ABQ, 20 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 19901006044229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006044229A), Oct 6, 1990: Raven S55A, Bernalillo, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Balloon struck a powerline and caught fire. Occupants tried to slide down a rope but lost grip and fell to ground.

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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