Avian MAGNUM IX accident near Donald, OR
On August 3, 1997, an Avian MAGNUM IX (balloon) was involved in an accident near Donald, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 3, 1997
- Place
- Donald, OR
- Aircraft
- Avian MAGNUM IX · Balloon
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 7 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.221°N, 122.829°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08739
Official records · SEA97FA181
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 3, 1997, approximately 0705 Pacific daylight time, the gondola of a Avian Magnum IX hot air balloon, N20146, separated from the balloon envelope after coming in contact with the top of a coniferous tree near the edge of an open field near Donald, Oregon. One of the passengers received fatal injuries, and the commercial pilot and the other six passengers received serious injuries. The balloon, which was owned and operated by American Hot Airlines, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 commercial flight, which departed Aurora, Oregon about 65 minutes earlier, was being maneuvered to a landing in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. On the morning of the flight, the pilot and his balloon arrived at the launch site adjacent to Isberg Mobile Home Park, near Aurora, Oregon, around 0530. With help from passengers and crew, the pilot had the balloon inflated by about 0555, and lifted off with seven passengers aboard approximately 0600. According to the pilot, his plan was to fly for 45 minutes to an one hour, land in an open field, exchange depleted fuel tanks for full ones, and then give a ride of about the same duration to a second set of passengers. After liftoff, the balloon drifted in a southerly direction, spending much of its time over or very near Interstate Highway Five (see Area Map). According to a number of passengers, as the balloon moved along the highway, the pilot varied his altitude between 200 and 1,400 feet above the ground (AGL). During the flight, the pilot explained to the passengers that he was m
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree that was located on the edge of the field in which he was attempting to land.
More accidents in OR
- Cessna T207A, Aug 21, 1986
- Piper PA-28-180, Sep 1, 1984
- Piper PA-28RT-201, Mar 12, 1984
- Piper PA 46-310P, Apr 7, 2017
- Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012
Browse: Oregon
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
