# NTSB DEN93LA026: Raven RX7, N3581T, Durango, CO, January 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1993, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270019, -107.879264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2700&lon=-107.8793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA026

## Probable cause

PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE BALLOON'S BURNER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  A FACTOR WAS:  UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - balloon equipment,burner system - failure,partial (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS ABOUT 200 FEET AGL AND SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS SOUTH OF THE RIM OF A BLUFF.  A ROTOR WIND SUDDENLY PUSHED THE BALLOON TOWARDS POWERLINES.  THE PILOT CONSIDERED 'RIPPING OUT' THE ENVELOPE BUT OPTED TO ACTIVATE THE BURNER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB.  HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN HALTING THE BALLOON'S DESCENT, BUT THE BURNER 'FLAMED OUT.' THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE WIRES.  THE WIRES ARCED THEN BROKE.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RELIGHT THE BURNER AND MAKE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING.  SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE BALLOON UPRIGHTS AND BASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3581T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3581T-2001-09-06), registration cancelled 2001-09-06, S/N RX7-3220 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX7
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RALLY RX7](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (registry code 7480503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-3220
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chapel, William L.
- Registered owner: Chapel, William L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1993, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; flight hours: 681 total, 218 in this make and model, 671 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19930131001749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930131001749A), Jan 31, 1993: Raven RX7, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Low altitude lee side of ridge encounter rotor winds. Was pushed into powerlines. Landed safe but arcing damaged bag

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.