# NTSB SEA92LA145: Avian Balloon Magnum IX, N1613B, Driggs, ID, July 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1992, 09:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Driggs, ID
- Coordinates: 43.73059, -111.220565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7306&lon=-111.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO INSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  WEATHER CONDITION (DOWNDRAFT) AND OBJECT (TRANSMISSION WIRES).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire/explosion, landing

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A LANDING IN A FIELD THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF THE PART 91 BALLOON FLIGHT DESCENDED TO 60 FEET AGL IN THE VICINITY OF ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. JUST BEFORE CROSSING THE LINES THE BALLOON SUDDENLY DESCENDED TO 30 AGL FEET. THE PILOT IN COMMAND ELECTED TO STRIKE THE WIRES AS HE BELIEVED THAT AN ASCENT OVER THE WIRES WAS NOT POSSIBLE. DURING THE WIRE STRIKE AND LANDING, A FIRE DEVELOPED WHICH CONSUMED BOTH THE BALLOON AND GONDOLA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1613B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1613B-1995-04-11), registration cancelled 1995-04-11, S/N 154 (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: 154
- Airframe hours: 346
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: W.G.E., Inc., doing business as Rainbow Balloons
- Registered owner: Care, Jack, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1992, 66 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 1,961 total, 1,734 in this make and model, 1,914 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 43 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 19920706024259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920706024259A), Jul 6, 1992: Avianw MAGNUMIX, Driggs, ID, Destroyed. Downdraft as balloon neared wires on landing caused basket support cable to hit wires. Landed safe. Caught fire.

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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