# NTSB LAX87LA284: Raven S77A, N43995, Tucson, AZ, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149032, -110.929901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1490&lon=-110.9299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA284

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tower (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING BALLOON FLIGHT, THE PLT WAS MAKING A LANDING AT AN OPEN CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE GONDOLA TOUCHED DOWN THEN SKIPPED THREE TIMES AND CAME TO REST ON THE EDGE OF A LEDGE APRX 10 FT IN HEIGHT. THE BALLOON TIPPED OVER THE EDGE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND MISC CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BELOW. THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS WERE SUSTAINED FROM THE FALL OFF THE LEDGE WHEN THE BALLOON TIPPED OVER. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE EXCEPT 1176 HRS REPORTED AS LIGHTER THAN AIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43995](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43995-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N S77A-112 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S77A
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s77a) (registry code 7480650) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S77A112
- Airframe hours: 209
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Fendler, Joseph
- Registered owner: Fendler, Joseph
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1986
- Departed: TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; flight hours: 1,176 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870726038269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038269A), Jul 26, 1987: Raven S77A, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Collided with the ground after falling off a ledge during touchdown. Injuries sustained from fall off the ledge.

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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