# NTSB LAX88LA137: Avian Magnum IX, N1601D, Phoenix, AZ, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1988, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430572, -112.010314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4306&lon=-112.0103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 8 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - balloon equipment,control system - jammed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT IN A HOT AIR BALLOON, WHILE DESCENDING, THE DEFLATION LINE MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RELEASE PULLEY HAD NO ROLLER AND THE ROPE WAS KNOTTED AND JAMMED IN THE PULLEY. THE VENT COULD NOT BE ACTIVATED IN THIS CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1601D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1601D-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 136 (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: 136
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Hot Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; flight hours: 137 total, 17 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX

## 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 19880326006479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880326006479A), Mar 26, 1988: Avianw MAGNUMIX, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed in strong gusty wind. Knotted vent line minus a pulley hung up and broke. Unvented balloon dragged a mile.

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.