# NTSB LAX88LA268: Raven S-60A, N2789Z, Bakersfield, CA, July 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1988, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.54, -118.910049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5400&lon=-118.9100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA268

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. THE WIRES ARCED STARTING A FIRE WHICH DAMAGED THE BALLOON ENVELOPE. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. THE PLTS LAST MEDICAL EXAM WAS ON 7/3/79.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2789Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2789Z-1995-01-11), registration cancelled 1995-01-11, S/N S60A375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-60A
- Registry model: [Raven S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-60a) (registry code 7480606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-375
- Engines: unknown UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hammen, Donald E.
- Registered owner: Buck Owens Production Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880715027659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880715027659A), Jul 15, 1988: Raven S60A, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Balloon drifted into a powerline during a landing approach. Arcing melted portion of balloon envelope.

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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