# NTSB SEA91LA250: Raven S-60A, N6544C, Redmond, WA, September 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1991, 19:20 local (Sep 16, 1991, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Redmond, WA
- Coordinates: 47.680358, -122.120903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6804&lon=-122.1209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA250

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER RATE OF DESCENT.  A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNFAVORABLE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WINDS RESULTING IN AN INCREASED SINK RATE.  THE PILOT DID NOT ADJUST FOR THE BALLOON'S INCREASED SINK RATE IN TIME TO PREVENT A HARD LANDING DURING WHICH ONE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE AND SUBSEQUENT HOSPITALIZATION IN EXCESS OF 48 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6544C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6544C-1997-02-19), registration cancelled 1997-02-19, S/N S60A3072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven S-60A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a) (registry code 7486060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S60A-3072
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Roy Wood
- Registered owner: Roy Wood
- Departed: WOODENVILLE, WA
- Destination: REDMOND, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,064 total, 164 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PAE, 15 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 19910915042789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910915042789A), Sep 15, 1991: Raven S60A, Redmond, WA. Wind picked up for landing. Balloon struck several barbed wire fences. One passenger received a broken ankle.

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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