# NTSB CEN22LA365: Ultramagic M56C, N801UM, Indianola, IA, August 4, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 4, 2022, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Indianola, IA · SW of the Balloon Launch Field
- Coordinates: 41.17525, -93.32159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1752&lon=-93.3216&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105681/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105681
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA365

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic M-56C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230014), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Ultramagic M-56C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9230014), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic M-56C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was participating in a balloon event that consisted of dropping markers on targets at various locations. While approaching the final target, he crossed some trees about 200 ft above ground level (agl) in a descent. After crossing the trees, when the balloon was about 20 ft agl, he heard someone announce “powerline” over his crew radio and saw approaching powerlines above his line of sight. He immediately pulled his deflation line and shut off the fuel tanks. The balloon subsequently contacted the powerlines, which resulted in electrical arcing and the basket impacted the ground. The balloon sustained substantial damage to the envelope and the basket. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N801UM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N801UM), registered now, S/N 56/64, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC SA M56C
- Registry model: [Ultramagic M-56C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-m-56c) (registry code 9230014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: .56/64
- Year built: 2019
- Airframe hours: 57
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 26, 2022
- Departed: KDSM, Des Moines, IA
- Destination: KDSM, Des Moines, IA
- Airport: N/A
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 31, 2021; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,727 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 14.25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1.25 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KDSM, 26 nm away
- METAR: METAR KDSM 041254Z 03008KT 10SM FEW300 21/16 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP161 T02060156=

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20220804018939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220804018939A), Aug 4, 2022: Ultramagic Sa M-56C, Indianola, IA, Destroyed. Pilot descendent hit power line, ballon caught fire.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105681. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14379136&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N801UM%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array - balloon (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14403311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-%20Balloon-Rel.pdf

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.

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