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August 22, 1982 · Raven RX-7 · N4010S

Phillip, SD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Phillip, SD
Aircraft
Raven RX-7
Tail Number
N4010S
Operator
Richard Burns
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN82DTK07

AFTER THE FOURTH LANDING, THE BALLOON HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND ABOUT 8 MINUTES WHEN A WHIRL WIND SUDDENLY HIT THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON LIFTED UP ABOUT 2 TO 3 FT AND WAS BLOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A CHASE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS THROWN OUT OF THE GONDOLA, BUT LANDED SAFELY. THE OTHER PASSENGER'S SHOULDER WAS FRACTURED WHEN SHE HIT A PROPANE TANK DURING THE IMPACT. THE INJURED PASSENGER AND THE PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ASCENDED ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT. THE PILOT HEATED THE AIR IN THE BALLOON SO THAT IT WOULD REMAIN AT ALTITUDE UNTIL IT WAS FREED FROM THE WHIRL WIND. ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, THE WHIRL WIND DISSIPATED AND THE PILOT LANDED.

Full Narrative

AFTER THE FOURTH LANDING, THE BALLOON HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND ABOUT 8 MINUTES WHEN A WHIRL WIND SUDDENLY HIT THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON LIFTED UP ABOUT 2 TO 3 FT AND WAS BLOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A CHASE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS THROWN OUT OF THE GONDOLA, BUT LANDED SAFELY. THE OTHER PASSENGER'S SHOULDER WAS FRACTURED WHEN SHE HIT A PROPANE TANK DURING THE IMPACT. THE INJURED PASSENGER AND THE PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ASCENDED ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT. THE PILOT HEATED THE AIR IN THE BALLOON SO THAT IT WOULD REMAIN AT ALTITUDE UNTIL IT WAS FREED FROM THE WHIRL WIND. ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, THE WHIRL WIND DISSIPATED AND THE PILOT LANDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaven RX-7
Tail NumberN4010S
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorRichard Burns
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data