# NTSB MKC84LA287: Raven S55A, N8517L, Prairie City, IA, September 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1984, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Prairie City, IA
- Coordinates: 41.650302, -93.470336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6503&lon=-93.4703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA287

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS AIRBORNE, THE SURFACE WINDS INCREASED TO 13 KTS. THE PLT INSTRUCTED BOTH PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. CONTRARY TO THE PLT'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE PASSENGER, WHO BECAME INJURED, CROUCHED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET FOR THE LANDING. THE BALLOON BOUNCED 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A SMALL DITCH. DURING THE LANDING, THE PASSENGER'S KNEE STRUCK AN ANGULAR FOOT RAIL WHICH WAS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BASKET. THE RAIL HAD BEEN MADE OF HEAVY, SHARPLY ANGLED METAL. THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A TORN QUADRICEP TENDON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8517L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8517L-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N S55A-219, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A-219
- Airframe hours: 247
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Hawkeye Aero Station Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: ALTOONA, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: class 3; flight hours: 205 total, 135 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 0° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- 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 19840930056549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840930056549A), Sep 30, 1984: Raven S55A, Prairie City, IA. Passenger was injured during rough landing in a balloon.

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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