# NTSB FTW93LA147: Raven S-55A, N6465K, Bentonville, AR, May 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1993, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Bentonville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.359001, -94.199752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3590&lon=-94.1998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA147

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS UNFAVORABLE WINDS

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WIND PICKED UP THE BALLOON AND DRAGGED IT INTO A BARBED WIRE FENCE WHILE THE BALLOON WAS BEING DEFLATED AFTER LANDING. WINDS IN THE AREA WERE REPORTED FROM THE SOUTH AT 9 KNOTS

## Factual narrative

On May 1, 1993, at approximately 1845 central daylight time, during landing near Bentonville, Arkansas, a Raven S 55A, N6465K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence. The pilot and two passengers did not sustain injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight.

The pilot reported to the Fayetteville Flight Service Station that he had departed approximately one mile west of Rogers, Arkansas, for a local flight at approximately 1745. He further reported that the "wind picked up the balloon and dragged it into a barbed wire fence."  The flight service station reported the winds from the south at nine knots.

The pilot reported to the Safety Board that a "gust of wind hit the balloon blowing the envelope into a wire fence" while the balloon was being deflated.

The balloon was released to the owner following the investigation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6465K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6465K-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N S55A-3022, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s-55a) (registry code 7485055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-3022
- Airframe hours: 252
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dietz, Edward K.
- Registered owner: Dietz, Edward K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 42 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ROGERS, AR
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 218 total, 149 in this make and model, 207 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 25 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 19930501011389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930501011389A), May 1, 1993: Raven S55A, Bentonville, AR, Substantial damage. Balloon was blown into a fence while deflating after 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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