# Accident 20210502005379A: Ultramagic S A N-500, Phoenix, AZ, May 2, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 2, 2021, 08:15 local time
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.8274° N, 112.1013° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8274&lon=-112.1013&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500UM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N500UM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ultramagic S A N-500 (registry code 9130018, https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-s-a-n-500) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC S A N-500
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 19
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,600 total, 216 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR21LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA191) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210502005379A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AFTER CHANGING THE DEPARTURE LOCATION DUE TO WINDS, BALLOON DEPARTED ON AN APPROXIMATE 45 MINUTE FLIGHT. PIC WAS REPORTED TO POLICE FROM PASSENGERS ONBOARD THAT THE PIC HAD ISSUES WITH THE WIND DURING THE FLIGHT. PIC ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A VACANT FIELD NEAR 19TH AVENUE AND WEST JOY RANCH RD. IN PHOENIX, AZ. PIC STATED THAT HE INSTRUCTED PASSENGERS TO LOOK AWAY AND DUCK AS THE BALLOON NEARED TOUCHDOWN. PIC REPORTED THE BASKET BOUNCED ONCE, HOWEVER PASSENGERS REPORTED TO POLICE THAT THE BASKET BOUNCED 3 TIMES DURING THE LANDING.  DURING THE LANDING, THE BASKET CONTACTED A PREVIOUSLY BURNT TREE AND A BRANCH PUNCTURED THE BASKET AND INFLICTED SERIOUS INJURY TO ONE PASSENGER AND A MINOR INJURY TO ANOTHER. THE BALLOON CAME TO A REST AGAINST A CABLE FENCE AT ONE END OF THE FIELD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR21LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA191), May 2, 2021: Ultramagic S A N-500 (N500UM), Phoenix, AZ, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain control after the balloon's encounter with an unexpected wind gust, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

## Other reports on N500UM (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20200918020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200918020289A), Sep 18, 2020: Ultramagic S A N-500 (N500UM), Peoria, AZ, No damage. [privacy data omitted] Launched a hot air balloon tour from an off airport location near north valley parkway/dove valley road to another off airport location…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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