Raven Industries Rally RX7 accident near Nicholasville, KY
On February 28, 2004, a Raven Industries Rally RX7 (balloon) was involved in an accident near Nicholasville, KY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 28, 2004
- Place
- Nicholasville, KY
- Aircraft
- Raven Industries Rally RX7 · Balloon
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.884°N, 84.594°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040308X00294
Official records · NYC04LA078
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On February 28, 2004, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Raven Industries Rally RX7 balloon, N4110M, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a field in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors interviewed several witnesses after the accident. According to the witnesses, the balloon was to be launched from a field about 300 feet long and 100 feet wide, with 35-foot tall power lines lining the north edge of the field. The balloon was laid out on the ground about 200 feet south of the power lines, and inflation was "normal." As the balloon began to stand up, the wind increased in velocity and became gusty. At the pilot's request, the ground crew members placed weight in the basket. The wind then pushed the balloon forward, and the basket tipped slightly. The balloon began to "scoot" along the ground, and the pilot released the tie-down line, which was secured to the vehicle trailer. The pilot then activated the burner and instructed the crew to "weight off." The balloon ascended to an altitude of about 5 to 10 feet, as it traveled north. It skimmed the ground for about 30 feet, and then settled back to the surface. The pilot was observed activating the burner several times; however, the balloon did not rise as expected. As the balloon approached the power lines, the pilot turned off the burner and closed the fuel tank valves. He pulled the redline to open the vent, an
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to continue the inadvertent flight in variable wind conditions, which resulted in an impact with power lines. Factors were the variable wind conditions and the unsuitable takeoff area.
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Browse: Kentucky · Raven aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
