# NTSB LAX97LA159: Head Balloons AX8-88, N380P, San Diego, CA, April 14, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1997, 18:53 local (Apr 14, 1997, 01:53 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.950157, -117.190612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9502&lon=-117.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA159

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to increase sink rate to avoid flying into an obstacle with insufficient altitude remaining to reduce the sink rate prior to impact with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot of the hot air balloon intentionally induced a high sink rate to avoid power lines with insufficient altitude remaining to return to a nominal sink rate prior to impact with the ground. All occupants were ejected from the basket, and the balloon then drifted away until it was brought to rest by contact with some nearby power lines.

## Factual narrative

On April 13, 1997 at 1853 hours Pacific daylight time, a Head AX8-88, hot air balloon, N380P, impacted the ground with a high rate of sink approximately 8 statute miles east of Gillespie Field, San Diego, California.  The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot for the local area personal flight.  The balloon sustained substantial damage and the pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated approximately 5 statute miles northeast of Spring Valley for a planned 1-hour flight.

Two witnesses stated that they observed the balloon hit the ground with what they thought was a high sink rate and then become airborne again for a short time before recontacting the ground.  At the second ground impact, the witnesses saw three persons ejected from the crew basket.  The balloon was then observed to drift away until it was brought to rest by contact with some nearby power lines.

The pilot stated in a verbal pilot report that he had intentionally increased the balloon's sink rate to avoid drifting into some power lines which lay ahead, but did not have sufficient altitude remaining to return to a nominal sink rate prior to impact with the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N380P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N380P-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 207, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-88
- Registry model: [Head Balloons AX8-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (registry code 4280200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 207
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Massie R. Holland, II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SPRING VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 265° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KSE, 10 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 19970413005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970413005829A), Apr 13, 1997: Head AX888HEAD, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Balloon came down fast, hit ground, explosion, balloon went back up, another explosion hit powerlines, brush fire. (.4)the pilot of the hot air balloon…

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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