# NTSB FTW83FQA02: Raven Industries S-66A, N1980M, Albuquerque, NM, October 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1982, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.189605, -106.69094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1896&lon=-106.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FQA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FQA02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE BALLOON IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS WHEN HE SAW POWER LINES APPROACHING AND TOLD EVERYONE TO JUMP. THOSE JUMPING, EXCEPT THE PILOT, WERE INJURED. ONE PASSENGER STAYED IN THE BASKET AND WAS UNHARMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1980M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1980M-1991-12-18), registration cancelled 1991-12-18, S/N S66A105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN INDUSTRIES S-66A
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-66a) (registry code 7480612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S66A 105
- Airframe hours: 53
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James L. Black/C. William Cunn
- Registered owner: James L. Black/C. William Cunn
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 514 total, 30 in this make and model, 481 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 7 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 19821010052149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821010052149A), Oct 10, 1982: Raven S66A, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Caught in a downdraft and sudden gusty wind, balloon struck powerlines. Passengers and pilot jumped from 20 feet.

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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