# NTSB FTW94LA004: Raven Rally RX7, N27953, Albuquerque, NM, October 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1993, 08:21 local (14:21 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.060157, -106.619926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0602&lon=-106.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA004

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH AT 5 KNOTS GUSTING TO 12 KNOTS. DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE WINDS CARRIED THE BALLOON ABOUT 200 YARDS INTO A POWRLINE.

## Factual narrative

On October 4, 1993, approximately 0821 mountain daylight time, a Raven Rally RX7, N27953, sustained substantial damage near Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the landing flare.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries.  One passenger did not receive injury.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

During a telephone interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that the winds, from the north at 5 knots gusting to 12 knots, picked up the balloon during the attempted landing.  The pilot further reported that the balloon traveled approximately 200 yards and hit a powerline. Damage reported was a burned skirt and an envelope torn vertically.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27953](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27953-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N RX7-414 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RALLY RX7
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RALLY RX7](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (registry code 7480503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 414
- Airframe hours: 262
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ferguson, Gordon A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1993

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 244 total, 244 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19931004037539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931004037539A), Oct 4, 1993: Raven RX7, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Tried to land in gusty surface wind. Balloon traveled 200 yards and struck a power pole.

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.