# NTSB WPR09CA207: Aerostar International Raven S49A, N6378E, Tracy, CA, April 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2009, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.688888, -121.44139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6889&lon=-121.4414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA207

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7484049), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while approaching an open field for landing, the balloon suddenly slowed down. Shortly after, he noticed that the balloon had contacted power line wires and that the lines were traveling down the side of the balloon's envelope and uprights and trapped his passenger against the basket. The pilot stated that the passenger was able to free herself as he was able to kick the wires from the corner of the basket. The balloon subsequently ascended about 200 feet. The pilot proceeded to initiate a landing in the nearest open field and landed without further incident. The pilot further reported that neither he nor his passenger saw the power lines prior to impact. Examination of the hot air balloon revealed that the envelope and basket sustained minor damage; however, the passenger sustained serious injuries.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while approaching an open field for landing, the balloon suddenly slowed down. Shortly after, he noticed that the balloon had contacted power line wires, and the lines were traveling down the side of the balloons envelope and uprights and trapped his passenger against the basket. The pilot stated that the passenger was able to free herself as he was able to kick the wires from the corner of the basket. The balloon subsequently ascended about 200 feet. The pilot proceeded to initiate a landing in the nearest open field and landed without further incident. The pilot further reported that neither he nor his passenger saw the power lines prior to the balloon impacting them. Examination of the hot air balloon revealed that the envelope and basket sustained minor damage; however, the passenger sustained serious injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6378E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6378E), registered now, S/N S49A-3117, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL INC RAVEN S49A
- Registry model: [Aerostar International RAVEN S49A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s49a) (registry code 7484049) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: S49A-3117
- Airframe hours: 252
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lester David V
- Registered owner: Lester David V
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2008, 25 hours before
- Departed: TCY, Tracy, CA
- Destination: Tracy, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; last flight review June 17, 2007; flight hours: 91 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: SCK

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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