# NTSB LAX84LA257: Raven S-55A-707, N5717H, Glendale, AZ, April 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Location: 33.5387° N, 112.1860° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Glendale, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5387&lon=-112.1860&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA257

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHT-SEEING FLT, THE WINDS, OUTSIDE AIR TEMP & PROPANE GAS BURNER TEMP BEGAN INCREASING, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND. HE NOTIFIED THE CHASE CREW, STARTED A DESCENT & ANTICIPATED MAKING A 'DROP LINE' LANDING. AS THE BALLOON BEGAN CROSSING OVER A DRY RIVER AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL, IT WAS DESCENDING AT APRX 75 FT/MIN. THE PLT STATED THAT AT ABOUT THAT TIME, A DOWNDRAFT FORCED THE BALLOON TO THE RIVER BED, THEN THE WIND DRAGGED IT INTO THE RIVER BANK. OBSERVERS SAID THE TOP OF THE BALLOON WAS SUDDENLY DISTORTED FROM DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT STATED EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL, THEN 'THE WIND HIT THE BALLOON' & THERE WERE 'NO TREES, FLAGS, SMOKE OR DUST TO ANTICIPATE THE WIND SHEAR.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5717H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5717H), registered now, S/N S55A-707, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55A-707
- 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: S-55A-707
- Airframe hours: 352
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Diane Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1984, 91 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 309 total, 309 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840415013789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415013789A), Apr 15, 1984: Raven S55A, Glendale, AZ. Balloon made hard landing in riverbed. Pilot reported encountering downdraft prior to touchdown.

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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