Avian MAGNUM IX accident near Phoenix, Arizona, March 26, 1988
On March 26, 1988 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Avian MAGNUM IX (balloon), registered N1601D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 8 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 1988 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 8 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Avian MAGNUM IX
- Registration
- N1601D · no longer on the register · serial 136
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 137 hours in all; 17 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 115 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 90 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 21, 1987; 90 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from PHX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 7 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.