# NTSB Accident LAX97LA159
> **Head Balloons, Inc. AX8-88** · 1997-04-14 · SAN DIEGO, CA, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX97LA159
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07755
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-04-14
- **Location:** SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 32.950157, -117.190612
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 3
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Head Balloons, Inc.
- **Model:** AX8-88
- **Registration:** N380P
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** —
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## 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.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX97LA159) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*