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NTSB Report

April 29, 1988 · Raven S-55 · N6436U

Burlington, IA

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

April 29, 1988

Injury Outcomes

3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)

Location

Burlington, IA

Aircraft

Raven S-55

Tail Number

N6436U

Operator

Balloons Over Burlington

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

MKC88LA084

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE BALLOON DURING A COMMERCIAL OPERATION, A DUST DEVIL WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE BALLOON AND GONDOLA TWISTED AND PITCHED VIOLENTLY. DURING A HARD LANDING, THE PIC WAS THROWN FROM THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO BOUNCE ALONG THE TERRAIN, UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES.

Full Narrative

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE BALLOON DURING A COMMERCIAL OPERATION, A DUST DEVIL WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE BALLOON AND GONDOLA TWISTED AND PITCHED VIOLENTLY. DURING A HARD LANDING, THE PIC WAS THROWN FROM THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO BOUNCE ALONG THE TERRAIN, UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time16:15 CDT

Nearest AirportBurlington (0nm N)

Runway0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven S-55

Tail NumberN6436U

Aircraft CategoryBall

DamageSubstantial

OperatorBalloons Over Burlington

Operating RulePart 91

Engines0

Engine TypeUnknown

Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)

Fatal0

Serious2

Minor1

Uninjured0

Total3

Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind40° @ 6 kt

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourcePILO

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April 29, 1988 · Raven S-55 · N6436U

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