# NTSB FTW96LA292: Raven S55A, N4273Y, Gunnison, CO, July 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1996, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.540607, -106.92073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5406&lon=-106.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA292

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper planning/decision.  The weather condition (sudden high wind) was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The balloon pilot said that when he took off, the wind was calm. After about 15 minutes of flying at 1,000 feet agl, he noticed other balloons at lower altitudes traveling at higher ground speeds. The pilot descended to 200 to 300 feet agl and estimated the wind at that altitude to be in excess of 30 knots. After flying at this altitude for about 10 minutes, the pilot decided to land in an open field. During the high wind landing, one of the two passengers sustained a serious injury. The pilot said that about 15 minutes after the landing, the winds were again calm.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1996, approximately 0730 mountain daylight time, a Raven S55A balloon, N4273Y, received no damage during a high wind landing near Gunnison, Colorado.  The pilot and one passenger were not injured, but another passenger did receive a serious injury.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated at Gunnison, Colorado, on July 5, 1996, approximately 0700.

According to the pilot, the wind was calm when the balloon took off.  After 15 minutes of flying at 1,000 feet agl (above ground level), the pilot noticed other balloons at lower altitudes traveling at higher ground speeds.  The pilot descended to 200 to 300 feet agl and estimated the wind at that altitude to be in excess of 30 knots.  After flying at this altitude for 10 minutes, the pilot decided to land and chose an open field.  During the high wind landing that ensued, one of the two passengers aboard sustained a serious injury.  The pilot said that 15 minutes after the landing, the winds were again calm.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4273Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4273Y-2003-12-23), registration cancelled 2003-12-23, S/N S55A-982, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-982
- Airframe hours: 461
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carolyn Coker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1996, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; flight hours: 150 total, 127 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUC

## 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 19960705016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960705016389A), Jul 5, 1996: Raven S55A, Gunnison, CO. Balloon made hard landing, two passengers thrown out.

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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