# NTSB CHI96LA349: Avian Balloon Magnum IX, N2006W, Stilwell, KS, September 22, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1996, 19:30 local (Sep 22, 1996, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Stilwell, KS
- Coordinates: 38.779857, -94.680755 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7799&lon=-94.6808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA349

## Probable cause

the pilot's not maintaining adequate clearance from a tree, and his allowing an abrupt touchdown.  Factors relating to the accident were: dusk and the proximity of tree(s).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

With darkness approaching and a lack of suitable landing sites, the pilot attempted to set the balloon down in a small clear area. During the approach, the balloon brushed the top of a tree. Beyond the tree, the pilot allowed an abrupt landing in a field. One passenger fell on another resulting in serious injuries being inflicted.

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 1996, at 1930 central daylight time, an Avian Balloon Magnum IX, N2006W, registered to Balloon Safaris, Inc., of Tigard, Oregon, experienced a hard landing.  One passenger sustained serious injuries.  The other five passengers, and the pilot reported no injuries.  The balloon received no damage.  The accident occurred in a rural area near Stilwell, Kansas.  The 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight departed a field near Bucyrus, Kansas, at 1830 on a local flight in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.

The pilot stated that he had attempted a landing prior to the landing where the passenger suffered serious injuries; however, he had abandoned the attempt when a land owner became irate.  He said with darkness approaching and suitable landing sites becoming hard to find, he made an attempt to land in a small clearing.  On the approach the basket "brushed through a tree top" and then touched down in what he said was abrupt.  It was during the landing that the passenger received serious injuries.

The injured passenger stated that when the basket came into contact with the ground that another passenger fell on her and that is how she was injured.

Other passengers interviewed, stated that the landing was abrupt, but no one else reported any injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2006W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2006W-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 193, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAN BALLOON MAGNUM IX
- Registry model: [Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX](https://openairdocs.org/model/avian-balloon-magnum-ix) (registry code 0900110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 193
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Balloon Safaris, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1995, 85 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BUCYRUS, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, expired; flight hours: 25,005 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KOJ, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19960921046699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921046699A), Sep 21, 1996: Avianw MAGNUMIX. (-16) On September 21, 1996, Mr. Frank l. gallegos operated avian balloon, magnum ix, N2006W, as pilot in command on a commercial, sightseeing flight with six…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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