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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 22, 1987 · Raven S-55A · N4261R

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Raven S-55A
Tail Number
N4261R
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX87LA120

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON TAKE-OFF, THE WIND WAS CALM. WHILE IN-FLIGHT THE WIND INCREASED AND THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. THE BALLOON TOUCHED-DOWN HARD AND HIT A BUSH. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE GONDOLA. THE BALLOON BECAME AIRBORNE THEN TOUCHED-DOWN A SECOND TIME APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE PILOT'S FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED/NOT AVAILABLE.

Full Narrative

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON TAKE-OFF, THE WIND WAS CALM. WHILE IN-FLIGHT THE WIND INCREASED AND THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. THE BALLOON TOUCHED-DOWN HARD AND HIT A BUSH. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE GONDOLA. THE BALLOON BECAME AIRBORNE THEN TOUCHED-DOWN A SECOND TIME APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE PILOT'S FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED/NOT AVAILABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven S-55A
Tail NumberN4261R
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 57 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 11 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data