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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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NTSB Report

April 28, 2001 · Raven S55A · N40555

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Raven S55A
Tail Number
N40555
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN01LA092

The pilot was approaching to land the balloon in an open field. The pilot stated that she was "aware that there were power lines to the right," and she made altitude adjustments to maintain clearance. The pilot did not see additional power lines in the area until just before impact. The basket uprights contacted the wires. She opened the emergency dump valve and ventilated the envelope. The envelope became entangled in the power lines and was cut be in two. The basket then dropped approximately 30 to 40 feet. The broken power lines fell to the ground and burned a hole into the cement sidewalk.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during approach. A contributing factor was the power lines.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2001, at 0841 mountain daylight time, a Raven S55A hot air balloon, N40555, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines while landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 0800. The pilot was approaching to land in an open field. The pilot stated that she was "aware that there were power lines to the right," and she made altitude adjustments to maintain clearance. The pilot did not see additional power lines in the area until just before impact. The basket uprights contacted the wires. She opened the emergency dump valve and ventilated the envelope. The envelope draped over the power lines and was cut in two. The basket then dropped approximately 30 to 40 feet. The broken power lines fell to the ground and burned a hole into the cement sidewalk.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:41 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven S55A
Tail NumberN40555
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 48
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time13:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data