# NTSB MKC85LA048: Raven Rally RX7, N55582, Davenport, IA, January 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1985, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, IA
- Coordinates: 41.58963, -90.630294 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5896&lon=-90.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

BALLOON ENCOUNTERED GUST DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD WIRES. PLT ELECTED TO DEFLATE & BALLOON COLLIDED WITH WIRES & BUILDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55582](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55582-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N RX7-147, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RALLY RX7
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RALLY RX7](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (registry code 7480503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-147
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Advertising Aloft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; flight hours: 211 total, 211 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLI, 9 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 19850116002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850116002199A), Jan 16, 1985: Raven RX7, Davenport, IA, Substantial damage. After liftoff, balloon pilot judged that he could not clear powerlines. Descended, collided with lines.

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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