# NTSB LAX88LA276: Raven RX-6, N1183R, Sun City, CA, July 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1988, 07:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Sun City, CA
- Location: 33.7092° N, 117.1973° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sun City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7092&lon=-117.1973&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA276

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT & PAX DEPARTED ON A LOCAL AREA BALLOON FLT. AFTER 30 MINUTES THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT TO AN OPEN FEILD NORTH OF SOME POWER LINES. DURING THE DESCENT THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HIS GROUND CREW DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BALLOON WAS 5-7 FT NORTH OF THE POWER LINES THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE MIGHT CONTACT THE WIRES. HE APPLIED FULL BURNER, BUT TO NO AVAIL; THE BALLOON'S GONDALA STRUCK THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1183R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1183R-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N RX6237 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX-6
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RX6](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rx6) (registry code 7480502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX6 237
- Airframe hours: 327
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mathew W. Norwood
- Registered owner: Norwood, Mathew
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1987, 13 hours before
- Airport: HMT, Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; flight hours: 62 total, 45 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 12 nm away

## 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 19880731028339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880731028339A), Jul 31, 1988: Raven RX6, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. Aborted landing. Began go around and hit wires. Balloon burned,fell to ground. Blamed wind gust. Wind reported calm

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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