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NTSB Report
March 7, 1987 · Raven S60A · N2803L
Grand Lake, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Grand Lake, CO
Aircraft
Raven S60A
Tail Number
N2803L
Operator
Henry C Vanschaack
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN87LA065
THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING NORMAL CRUISE AT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL, WHILE CROSSING A RIDGELINE. GUSTS EXTINGUISHED BOTH BURNER PLT LIGHTS AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSED THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE PLT RE-IGNITED BOTH BURNER PLT LIGHTS AND APPLIED FULL BURN TO SLOW THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE ENVELOPE WAS IMPALED ON TREES AND THE GONDOLA LANDED ON OPEN GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING NORMAL CRUISE AT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL, WHILE CROSSING A RIDGELINE. GUSTS EXTINGUISHED BOTH BURNER PLT LIGHTS AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSED THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE PLT RE-IGNITED BOTH BURNER PLT LIGHTS AND APPLIED FULL BURN TO SLOW THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE ENVELOPE WAS IMPALED ON TREES AND THE GONDOLA LANDED ON OPEN GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRaven S60A
Tail NumberN2803L
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHenry C Vanschaack
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO