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NTSB Report

October 3, 1987 · Avian Balloon Magnum IX · N1600P

Carefree, AZ

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

October 3, 1987

Injury Outcomes

7 injuries (1 serious injury, 6 minor injuries)

Location

Carefree, AZ

Aircraft

Avian Balloon Magnum IX

Tail Number

N1600P

Operator

Rainbow Balloon Flights

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

LAX88LA002

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time09:00 MST

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAvian Balloon Magnum IX

Tail NumberN1600P

Aircraft CategoryBall

DamageSubstantial

OperatorRainbow Balloon Flights

Operating RulePart 91

Engines0

Engine TypeUnknown

Engine DetailsUnknown · UNK · Unknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (1 serious injury, 6 minor injuries)

Fatal0

Serious1

Minor6

Uninjured0

Total7

Crew 1Age 67 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind90° @ 9 kt, gusting 15 kt

Visibility20 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point28 C

Altimeter29.00 inHg

Observation Time16:00

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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October 3, 1987 · Avian Balloon Magnum IX · N1600P

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