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NTSB Report
July 31, 1988 · Raven RX-6 · N1183R
Sun City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Sun City, CA
Aircraft
Raven RX-6
Tail Number
N1183R
Operator
Mathew W Norwood
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88LA276
THE PILOT & PAX DEPARTED ON A LOCAL AREA BALLOON FLT. AFTER 30 MINUTES THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT TO AN OPEN FEILD NORTH OF SOME POWER LINES. DURING THE DESCENT THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HIS GROUND CREW DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BALLOON WAS 5-7 FT NORTH OF THE POWER LINES THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE MIGHT CONTACT THE WIRES. HE APPLIED FULL BURNER, BUT TO NO AVAIL; THE BALLOON'S GONDALA STRUCK THE POWER LINES.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT & PAX DEPARTED ON A LOCAL AREA BALLOON FLT. AFTER 30 MINUTES THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT TO AN OPEN FEILD NORTH OF SOME POWER LINES. DURING THE DESCENT THE BALLOON BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HIS GROUND CREW DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BALLOON WAS 5-7 FT NORTH OF THE POWER LINES THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE MIGHT CONTACT THE WIRES. HE APPLIED FULL BURNER, BUT TO NO AVAIL; THE BALLOON'S GONDALA STRUCK THE POWER LINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:05 PDT
Nearest AirportFIELD (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRaven RX-6
Tail NumberN1183R
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMathew W Norwood
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 28 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 1 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC