# NTSB MIA92LA145: Raven S-60A, N4037Q, Dover, FL, July 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1992, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Dover, FL
- Coordinates: 27.989664, -82.219848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9897&lon=-82.2198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS CHOICE OF LANDING AREA NEAR ELECTRICAL LINES AND HIS FAILURE TO EXIT THE BALLOON AND SEEK SAFETY WHEN IT WAS DETERMINED THE DEFLATING BAG WAS GOING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH POWER LINES RESULTING IN HIS RECEIVING ELECTROCUTION INJURIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - evacuation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous, pilot in command

## Analysis

BALLOON LANDED IN FIELD APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET FROM POWER LINES. TWO PASSENGERS EXITED BALLOON AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL DEFLATING BAG AWAY FROM POWER LINES. THE BAG DRAPED OVER POWER LINES AND ELECTRICAL CURRENT TRAVELLED DOWN THE METAL CABLE WHICH CONTROLS THE DEFLATION PORT CAUSING ELECTROCUTION INJURIES TO THE PILOT WHO WAS HOLDING THE CABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4037Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4037Q-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N S60A-230, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-60A
- Registry model: [Raven S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-60a) (registry code 7480606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S-60A-230
- Airframe hours: 215
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy W. Webster
- Registered owner: Roy W. Webster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: TAMPA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 44 total, 44 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 5 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 19920704023529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920704023529A), Jul 4, 1992: Raven S60A, Dover, FL, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Landed in field next to powerline. Bag draped over wires during deflation. Pilot on rip out cable electrocuted.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.