# NTSB LAX87LA120: Raven S-55A, N4261R, Tucson, AZ, February 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1987, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Location: 32.2217° N, 110.9265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tucson, AZ, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2217&lon=-110.9265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON TAKE-OFF, THE WIND WAS CALM. WHILE IN-FLIGHT THE WIND INCREASED AND THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. THE BALLOON TOUCHED-DOWN HARD AND HIT A BUSH. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE GONDOLA. THE BALLOON BECAME AIRBORNE THEN TOUCHED-DOWN A SECOND TIME APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE PILOT'S FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED/NOT AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4261R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4261R-1998-08-06), registration cancelled 1998-08-06, S/N S55A1052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S-55A-1052
- Airframe hours: 180
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pitrat, Calude H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1986, 42 hours before
- Departed: TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS

## 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 19870222003109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870222003109A), Feb 22, 1987: Raven S55A, Tucson, AZ. The balloon landed hard in high winds. Passengers were injured when thrown from basket. No pilot weather briefing.

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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