# Accident 20260110002709A: Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, La Verkin, UT, January 10, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 10, 2026, 09:40 local time
- Place: La Verkin, UT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.2050° N, 113.2720° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2050&lon=-113.2720&mi=10
- Aircraft: N90MN, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90MN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M (registry code 1370473, https://openairdocs.org/model/kubicek-factory-s-r-o-bb26m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KUBICEK FACTORY S R O BB26M
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 120 total, 19 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA079) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260110002709A

## Narrative

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

THE FLIGHT BEGAN AT A FIELD NEAR 1L8 AIRPORT IN HURRICANE, UT. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE WINDS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE COMING FROM THE NORTH, WITH HIGHER WINDS SHOWING A WESTERN FLOW. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT PERFORMED LOW-LEVEL MANEUVERS OVER A FIELD NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. AS THE FLIGHT PROGRESSED, THE WINDS SHIFTED, CAUSING THE BALLOON TO DRIFT NORTH OVER THE TOWN OF HURRICANE, UT. AFTER CONSIDERING LANDING OPTIONS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING NEAR THE VIRGIN RIVER, WITH THE GROUND SPEED BETWEEN 9 TO 11 MILES PER HOUR. HOWEVER, THE LANDING WAS ABORTED AS THE BALLOON OVERSHOT THE PREFERRED AREA.

TO REGAIN EQUILIBRIUM, THE PILOT PERFORMED A BURN AND MAINTAINED THE FLIGHT PATH, EXECUTING ANOTHER BURN TO CLEAR NEARBY BUILDINGS AND POWERLINES. THE PILOT USED ONE BURNER INITIALLY, THEN BOTH, TO COMPENSATE FOR LOSING LIFT DUE TO A COOLING ENVELOPE TEMPERATURE AND LOWER-THAN-MAXIMUM FUEL PRESSURE. REALIZING HE COULD NOT CLEAR THE POWERLINES, THE PILOT CEASED THE BURNS AND QUICKLY VENTED THE HOT AIR FROM THE ENVELOPE. AS THE BALLOON CONTACTED THE POWERLINES, THE PILOT CONTINUED VENTING THE ENVELOPE AND IT DRAPED OVER THE POWERLINES. THE BASKET REMAINED SUSPENDED ABOVE THE GROUND UNTIL THE ENVELOPE TORE, LOWERING THE BASKET TO THE GROUND.

THE CREW ADVISED BYSTANDERS TO KEEP CLEAR OF THE BASKET UNTIL THE POWER COMPANY DE-ENERGIZED THE POWERLINES AND REQUESTED EMERGENCY SERVICES BE NOTIFIED. AFTER THE POWERLINES WERE SHUT OFF, THE ENVELOPE WAS REMOVED WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUES.

## 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 WPR26LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA079), Jan 10, 2026: Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M (N90MN), La Verkin, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines after an aborted landing attempt.

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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