Raven RX7 N3581T
31 January 1993 · Durango, Colorado, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 31 January 1993 at about 16:45 local time, a Raven RX7 registered N3581T, operated by Chapel, William L., was involved in an accident near Durango, Colorado, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Durango, Colorado, United States
- Coordinates
- 37.2700, -107.8793
- Aircraft
- Raven RX7
- Registration
- N3581T
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Chapel, William L.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN93LA026
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE BALLOON'S BURNER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS: UNFAVORABLE WIND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS ABOUT 200 FEET AGL AND SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS SOUTH OF THE RIM OF A BLUFF. A ROTOR WIND SUDDENLY PUSHED THE BALLOON TOWARDS POWERLINES. THE PILOT CONSIDERED 'RIPPING OUT' THE ENVELOPE BUT OPTED TO ACTIVATE THE BURNER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN HALTING THE BALLOON'S DESCENT, BUT THE BURNER 'FLAMED OUT.' THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE WIRES. THE WIRES ARCED THEN BROKE. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RELIGHT THE BURNER AND MAKE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE BALLOON UPRIGHTS AND BASKET.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Raven RX7 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jul 1991 | Raven RX7 | Gonzales, Louisiana, United States | Halone M. Galvin | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 1993 | Cessna 172F | Co. Springs, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 1993 | Beechcraft A36TC | Pueblo, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Nov 1993 | Bellanca BL17-31ATC | Pagosa Springs, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 1993 | Cessna 210 | Monte Vista, Colorado, United States | Anderson, Robert W. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Nov 1993 | Cessna R172K | Mancos, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Nov 1993 | Cessna A185F | Maybell, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |