# NTSB LAX83LA170: Raven AX-9, N5714B, Mesa, AZ, March 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1983, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Location: 33.4223° N, 111.8226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesa, AZ, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4223&lon=-111.8226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THERE WAS NO WIND WHEN HE BEGAN THE SIGHT-SEEING FLT; HOWEVER, AFTER TAKEOFF, THE WIND STEADILY INCREASED TO APRX 12 KTS. BY THIS TIME, THE BALLOON WAS APPROACHING A LARGE GREEN FIELD, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND RATHER THAN TAKE A CHANCE OF THE WIND INCREASING. DURING THE LANDING, ONE OF THE SIX PASSENGERS SUFFERED AN BROKEN SHOULDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5714B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5714B-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N S66A-112, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN AX-9
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-66a) (registry code 7480612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S-66A-112
- Airframe hours: 116
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Arizona Balloon Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: SCOTTSDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 252 total, 20 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °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 19830315014109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830315014109A), Mar 15, 1983: Raven S66A, Mesa, AZ. Wind increased after liftoff. Made hard landing due to wind. A passenger was injured. Did not obtain weather brief.

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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