# NTSB NYC84FFJ03: Raven S55A, N40238, Lakeville, NY, July 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1984, 20:40 local (Jul 15, 1984, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, NY
- Location: 42.8368° N, 77.7032° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeville, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8368&lon=-77.7032&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FFJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FFJ03

## 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
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT AS THE BALLOON APPROACHED A FIELD FOR LANDING, IN DIM LIGHT, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE GONDOLA WAS GOING TO HIT POWER LINES. THE WOODEN GONDOLA HIT THE TOP WIRE AND THE PLT JUMPED APPROXIMATELY 33 FT TO THE GROUND SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES. SPARKS IGNITED THE PROPANE TANKS IN THE GONDOLA AND THE BASKET WAS ENGULFED BY A FIREBALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40238](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40238-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N S55A-837 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN S55A
- Registry model: [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a) (registry code 7480402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: UNKNOWN
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Montgolfier Balloon Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1984, 26 hours before
- Airport: Open Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 30 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Observed at: FSS

## 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 19840714035689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840714035689A), Jul 14, 1984: Raven S55A, Lakeville, NY, Destroyed. Failed to make a timely turn to avoid wires. Basket caught fire. Pilot jumped 40 feet to the ground. Basket burned.

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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