# NTSB MKC88LA084: Raven S-55, N6436U, Burlington, IA, April 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1988, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, IA
- Coordinates: 40.82024, -91.170135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8202&lon=-91.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not possible
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE BALLOON DURING A COMMERCIAL OPERATION, A DUST DEVIL WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE BALLOON AND GONDOLA TWISTED AND PITCHED VIOLENTLY. DURING A HARD LANDING, THE PIC WAS THROWN FROM THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO BOUNCE ALONG THE TERRAIN, UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6436U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6436U-2002-05-20), registration cancelled 2002-05-20, S/N S55A-3013, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S-55
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s-55a) (registry code 7485055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S55A 3013
- Airframe hours: 80
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Balloons Over Burlington
- Registered owner: Frank Upton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 26 hours before
- Departed: BRL, BURLINGTON, IA
- Destination: BRL
- Airport: BRL, Burlington

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 364 total, 364 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- 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 19880429012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880429012729A), Apr 29, 1988: Raven S55A, Burlington, IA, Substantial damage. Balloon was hit by a whirlwind just prior to landing. Pilot fell out balloon dragged into wires. Injured passengers

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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