# NTSB LAX02LA111: Avian Magnum IX, N2037U, Sedona, AZ, March 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 2002, 08:21 local (15:21 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.94057, -111.93917 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9406&lon=-111.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 6 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-SDL-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54362 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54362/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54362 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the landing approach after encountering a high wind condition. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to use the trees to try and slow the balloon's ground speed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation - weather condition - high wind - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - descent - continued, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The balloon descended abruptly in a strong downdraft, bounced on the terrain, and then rose again, dragging the basket through trees before coming to rest. A passenger was seriously injured after a branch had penetrated the basket and became imbedded in her leg. The pilot reported the balloon drifted north in the prevailing winds for a period of about 25 minutes. The wind velocity was estimated at less than 5 knots. The flight continued northbound after exiting a valley and remained at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level (agl). As the anticipated landing site approached, the chase crew was sent ahead to verify wind conditions. In the descent, with the envelope cooled, the pilot planned to drift over a ridgeline oriented west to east to make use of the ridge's wind blocking effect for the landing. About 60 feet above the trees, a west wind accelerated the balloon toward the east about 20 miles per hour. The pilot elected to continue the attempt to land in the vicinity of the clearing he had selected, refrained from applying heat, and continued to deflate the envelope. A downdraft was encountered, the balloon touched down hard, and bounced. The balloon was dragged through the trees with the vent open. The envelope softened, and then spinnakered. With no buoyancy, the balloon descended again, faster, and was dragged through more trees, which resulted in a tree limb penetrating the basket and injuring one passenger. The pilot and the injured passenger were dumped from the basket and the balloon came to rest a few feet away. The other passengers remained with the gondola as it lay on its side. Three other balloons had also been in the vicinity, and the one behind had landed abruptly at about the same time. The pilot was still holding onto the parachute line to deflate the envelope when he and the impaled passenger fell out of the basket in the violent sequence. Safety gear was not included on the required Equipment List published by the manufacturer and none had been taken aboard. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 2002, about 0821 mountain standard time, an Avian Magnum IX, hot air balloon, N2037U, landed hard, bounced, then touched down again in trees near Sedona, Arizona. The balloon was operated by Northern Light Expeditions, under 14 CFR Part 91, for the local sightseeing flight. A weather briefing was received, however, no flight plan had been filed. The balloon envelope was destroyed. The commercial pilot and five passengers sustained minor injuries. One passenger received a serious injury. The flight departed from a launch site routinely used by the operator near Sedona, about 0655. The pilot reported the balloon drifted north in the prevailing winds for a period of about 25 minutes. The wind velocity was estimated at less than 5 knots. The flight continued northbound after exiting a valley, and remained at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level (agl). As the anticipated landing site approached, the chase crew was sent ahead to verify wind conditions. In the descent, with the envelope cooled, the pilot planned to drift over a ridgeline oriented west to east to make use of the ridge's wind blocking effect for the landing. About 60 feet above the trees, a west wind accelerated the balloon toward the east about 20 miles per hour. The pilot elected to continue the attempt to land in the vicinity of the clearing he had selected, refrained from applying heat, and continued to deflate the envelope. A downdraft was encountered, the balloon touched down hard, and bounced. The balloon was dragged through the trees with the vent open. The envelope softened, and then spinnakered. With no buoyancy, the balloon descended again, faster, and was dragged through more trees, which resulted in a tree limb penetrating the basket and injuring one passenger. The pilot and the injured passenger were dumped from the basket and the balloon came to rest a few feet away. The other passengers remained with the gondola as it lay on its side. Passengers reported their balloon and three others hovering at almost a standstill over the treetops before the winds picked up. The pilot advised them that they should be landing as soon as they had a location where the chase crew could rendezvous. They should also [hold on and brace for a rough landing]. The pilot had negotiated a ridge and was actuating the parachute line for the descent. This line opened the deflation port to vent the air out of the envelope. He explained to them that the trees would be used to help slow the balloons' speed over the ground. One passenger witnessed the balloon behind theirs land abruptly at the same time that they began violently smashing into the trees. Several passengers reported injuries as the basket was pulled through the brush and branches. A 3- to 4-foot tree segment became imbedded in one passenger's leg. After the remaining passengers had exited the basket, the pilot secured the fuel system and radioed the ground crew, who then arrived on scene in about 20 minutes. Paramedics responded in approximately 30 to 45 minutes when another passenger had dialed 911. The seriously injured passenger was attended to and brought to the hospital by air ambulance. Personal safety gear had not been available to the passengers in the event that the balloon made a hard landing. The flight manual did not require the carriage of such items as a part of the Equipment List. Only a first aid kit had been stowed for the flight. The pilot found the hole in the side of the basket and stated that it was the only damage. He stated the balloon envelope was torn beyond repair. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2037U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2037U), registered now, S/N 202, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Avian 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: 202 - Airframe hours: 763 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Light Balloon Expeditions - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2001, 69 hours before - Departed: Sedona, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; commercial; last flight review July 30, 2000; flight hours: 2,050 total, 815 in this make and model, 2,030 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: FLG ## 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 20020316009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020316009169A), Mar 16, 2002: Avianw MAGNUMIX, Sedona, AZ, No damage. (-23) While attempting to land after a sight seeing flight, the hot air balloon struck a tree. The pilot and passengers were ejected from the balloon. One… ## Other investigations on N2037U (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR12CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA163), Apr 10, 2012: Avian Balloon Magnum IX (N2037U), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance during approach for landing between his basket and the envelope of another balloon that was also on approach, which resulted in a midair collision. ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54362. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Manual Extracts (item 2, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397079&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Manual%20Extracts-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Injury Waiver (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Injury%20Waiver-Redacted.PDF - Records of Telephone Conversations (item 5, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397081&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20Telephone%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statements (item 6, .PDF, 593 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 (item 7, .PDF, 670 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Master.PDF - Photo 2 (item 8, .PDF, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Master.PDF - Photo 3 (item 9, .PDF, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Master.PDF - Photo 4 (item 10, .PDF, 687 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Master.PDF - Photo 5 (item 11, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.