# NTSB FTW81FQA02: Raven S-50A, N51520, Albuquerque, NM, October 7, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 7, 1980
- Place: Albuquerque, NM · ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FQA02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQA02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2954   80/10/7   ALBUQUERQUE,NM      RAVEN S-50A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 49, 186
        TIME - 0920                    N51520              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 170 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALBUQUERQUE,NM              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           SYSTEMS - OTHER SYSTEMS: OTHER
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN CABIN,COCKPIT,BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT SHUT OFF FUEL TO EXTINGUISH FIRE IN ONE BURNER.OTHER BURNER WOULD NOT RELIGHT.ACFT HIT WIRES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51520](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51520-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N S50A-230, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-50A
- Registry model: [Raven S-50A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-50a) (registry code 7480204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801007049899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801007049899A), Oct 7, 1980: Raven S50A, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Fuel valve failed on heater causing inflight fire. Put out fire. Pilot light outon other burner. Hit wires landing.

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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