Raven AS-55A N1073R

Summary

On 25 August 2000 at about 23:20 local time, a Raven AS-55A registered N1073R was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 August 2000 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Lincoln, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

40.1502, -89.3594

Aircraft

Raven AS-55A

Registration

N1073R

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI00LA270

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's attention was diverted and the power lines which the balloon contacted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The balloon contacted power lines shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported he was preoccupied with a radio transmission and with looking for the keys to the chase van, which he had in his pocket. He reported that when he looked up the balloon was close to power lines. He reported they were too close to the power lines to fire the burner. The balloon contacted the power lines. The pilot then vented the balloon and it descended to the ground where he and the passenger exited the basket. The balloon continued across a road where it contacted additional power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.