# NTSB LAX88LA002: Avian Balloon Magnum IX, N1600P, Carefree, AZ, October 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1987, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Carefree, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.820293, -111.900207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8203&lon=-111.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 6 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - balloon equipment,envelope - distorted (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - balloon equipment,basket - dumped
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
- Abrupt maneuver, climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - balloon equipment,envelope - collapsed

## Analysis

DURING THE FIRST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, A SMALL PORTION OF THE BALLOON ENVELOPE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. THE SECOND TAKEOFF ATTEMPT WAS SUCCESSFUL. ONE PASSENGER ON THE BALLOON SAID THAT THE FLIGHT WAS VERY ERRATIC RANGING IN ALTITUDE FROM 10 FEET AGL TO 1000 FEET AGL. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE PARTIALLY COLLAPSED IN TURBULENT WEATHER AND WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE BALLOON BASKET COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND FOUR OF THE SEVEN OCCUPANTS FELL OUT. THE BALLOON SHOT INTO THE AIR, DESCENDED, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AGAIN. THE PILOT COLLAPSED THE ENVELOPE AS THE BALLOON SKIDDED ACROSS THE GROUND. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 090 DEGREES AT 09 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1600P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1600P-1997-09-05), registration cancelled 1997-09-05, S/N 135 (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)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 135
- Airframe hours: 38
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Balloon Flights
- Registered owner: Criley, Shirley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CAREFREE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; flight hours: 566 total, 81 in this make and model, 522 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 30 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 19871003058449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871003058449A), Oct 3, 1987: Avianw MAGNUMIX, Carefree, AZ, Substantial damage. Hard landing in gusty winds collapsing envelope which then rebounded. Balloon ascended and struck ground again.

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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