# NTSB GAA15LA015: Ultramagic N210, N210UM, Peoria, AZ, March 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2015, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.750556, -112.262779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7506&lon=-112.2628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 10 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90913/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90913 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing after noting a higher-than-anticipated wind speed and the balloon's high descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-210, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=9230016), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, halfway through the flight, he determined that the wind aloft was higher than anticipated and that the original planned landing destination was no longer suitable. While the balloon was between 3,000 and 4,000 ft mean sea level, he started looking for another landing area and noted that the surface wind had increased and changed direction since the launch; the wind aloft about this time was reported to be 26 knots. The pilot stated that, during the descent to land, the balloon was traveling "about 15 mph." During the subsequent landing in an open field, the gondola impacted the ground hard twice, followed by two small hops, and then came to a stop. One of the passengers sustained two broken ankles during the two hard landings. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2015 about 0820 Mountain standard time, an Ultramagic SA N210 balloon, N210UM, made a hard landing during a visual approach and landing to an open field in Peoria, Arizona. The pilot and nine of the ten passengers were not injured. One passenger sustained serious inquires during the landing sequence. The balloon was registered to Float Balloon Tours, L.L.C. of Tempe, Arizona, and operated by the pilot, as a day, visual flight rules, passenger flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from private property in Phoenix, Arizona. According to the pilot, halfway through the flight, he determined that winds aloft were faster than anticipated, and the original planned landing destination was no longer suitable. While the balloon was between 3,000 and 4,000 feet mean sea level, he started looking for another landing area and noted that the surface wind had increased and changed direction since the launch; the wind aloft about this time was reported to be 26 knots. The pilot stated that, during the descent to land, the balloon was traveling "about 15 mph." During the subsequent landing in an open field, the gondola impacted the ground hard twice, followed by two small hops, and then came to a stop. The landing area was uneven, rocky, and had some vegetation. One of the passengers sustained two broken ankles during the two hard landings. The gondola sustained minor damage to the scruff leather coverings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210UM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210UM), registered now, S/N 210/90, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC SA N210 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ultramagic N-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-n-210) (registry code 9230016) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 210/90 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 136.4 - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2014 - Departed: Phoenix, AZ - Destination: Phoenix, AZ - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review April 10, 2014; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,042 total, 45 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KDVT, 10 nm away ## 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 20150314005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150314005059A), Mar 14, 2015: Ultramagic Sa N210, Minor damage. (Information note) NTSB case number is gaa 15 la 015. This is a new NTSB investigating office and is not yet one of the selection on the drop down menu. Lax… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90913. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation (pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20(pilot)-Master.PDF - Record of conversation (injured passenger) (item 3, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20(injured%20passenger)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of scruff leather damage (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 4, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20scruff%20leather%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of scruff leather damage (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 5, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20scruff%20leather%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – Winds aloft chart Phoenix, AZ 3_14_2015 (item 6, .PDF, 527 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Winds%20aloft%20chart%20Phoenix,%20AZ%203_14_2015%20-Master.PDF - Kdvt METAR 3_14_2015 (item 7, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KDVT%20METAR%203_14_2015-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.