NTSB investigations: Raven S55A

8 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Raven S55A, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with object”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19822026

NTSB investigations: Raven S55A per year, 1982–2026: 8 cases
1982	2
1983	1
1984	2
1990	1
2000	1
2001	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7480402') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 220)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7480402')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 220))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7480402')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 220))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB DEN01LA092Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S55A · Albuquerque, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during approach. A contributing factor was the power lines.Apr 28, 2001 · N40555 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI00LA270Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven AS-55A · Lincoln, ILThe pilot failed to maintain clearance with the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's attention was diverted and the power lines which the balloon contacted.Aug 25, 2000 · N1073R · Substantial damage NTSB DEN91LA003Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-55A · Bernalillo, NMThe pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout, resulting in an inflight collision with power lines.Oct 6, 1990 · N4062H · Destroyed NTSB NYC84FFJ03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRaven S55A · Lakeville, NYWitnesses 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…Jul 15, 1984 · N40238 · Destroyed NTSB ANC84LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-55A · Anchorage, AKWhile apchg to land on a school ground, the balloon plt lowered a drop line for the ground crew, then looked forward & saw a power line. He told the ground crew not to touch the drop line. The drop line contacted & pulled one power line into another, causing…Jun 22, 1984 · N5562L · Substantial damage NTSB FTW83LA440Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-55A · Santa Fe, NMThe plt elected to land the balloon between 2 power lines. During the landing, the balloon impacted another power line that was installed across the main lines. Electrical arcing occurring occurred. The balloon attachment cables, skirt & gondola were scorched…Sep 11, 1983 · N2732R · Substantial damage NTSB FTW83LA011Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven AX-7 · Albuquerque, NMThe balloonist attempted to abort a landing due to wind conditions and believes he encountered a downdraft. The balloon descended and landed on a fence and became airborne again. The wind had picked up to about 15 or 20 knots so the balloonwas traveling…Oct 7, 1982 · N40222 · No damage NTSB CHI82DA345Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRaven S55 · Mattawan, MIDuring a landing in an open field the balloon collided with wires and started to burn. The pilot stated that her attention was temporarily distracted as the balloon approached a corral with horses and she was adjusting the maneuvering valve for landing. The…Sep 8, 1982 · N4053P · Destroyed