# NTSB SEA93LA017: Raven AX-9, N57139, Green River, UT, November 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1992, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Green River, UT
- Coordinates: 38.979804, -110.650985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9798&lon=-110.6510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA017

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN INFLT ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A REMOTE SITE WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING, ENCOUNTERED FCST TURB DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH PITCHED THE BALLOON INTO AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE AND PARTIALLY DEFLATED THE ENVELOPE. THE PILOT INITIATED AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING, ACTIVATED THE DEFLATION LINE AT 40 FT. AGL, AND THE BASKET IMPACTED THE GROUND AT 400 TO 600 FPM.  AN ADVISORY WAS IN EFFECT FOR OCNL MDT TO ISOLD SVR TURB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57139](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57139-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N S66A-111, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN AX-9
- Registry model: [Raven Industries S-66A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-66a) (registry code 7480612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S66A-111
- Airframe hours: 588
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Markle, John R.
- Registered owner: Sunset Balloon Flights, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1992, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 514 total, 54 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HVE, 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 19921102045559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921102045559A), Nov 2, 1992: Thundr AX9140S2, Green River, UT, Substantial damage. Severe turbulence after takeoff put balloon on its side. Heavy burn to right balloon. Hard landing. Prefrontal wx.

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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