# NTSB FTW91LA136: Raven RX7, N2801F, Gonzales, LA, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1991, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Gonzales, LA
- Coordinates: 30.229498, -90.916471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2295&lon=-90.9165&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA136

## Probable cause

UNFAVORABLE WINDS AT LOW ALTITUDE.  A FACTOR WAS THE ELECTRICAL POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A DAY LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE BALLOON PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. AS SHE PASSED OVER A TREE LINE, ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SPOTTED A SERIES OF UNMARKED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE POWER LINES WERE NOT A FACTOR. HOWEVER, A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT CHANGED THE DIRECTION OF THE BALLOON INTO THE POWER LINES. THE BALLOON BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE PILOT ORDERED THE PASSENGER TO JUMP FROM AN ALTITUDE OF 8 - 10 ABOVE THE GROUND DUE TO ELECTRICAL ARCING. AFTER THE PASSENGER WAS CLEAR THE PILOT JUMPED AND SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2801F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2801F-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N RX7-442, built 1985 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-442
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Halone M. Galvin
- Registered owner: Halone M. Galvin
- Departed: NONE, BATON ROUGE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; flight hours: 112 total, 112 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 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 19910728030129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728030129A), Jul 28, 1991: Raven RX7, Gonzales, LA, Minor damage. Windshift landing carried balloon into powerline. Suspended 10 feet,both jumped due electric arcing. Broke ankle.

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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