# NTSB GAA18CA185: Ultramagic N 300, N64EX, Cave Creek, AZ, March 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 28, 2018, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Cave Creek, AZ - Coordinates: 33.798053, -112.006385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7981&lon=-112.0064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 13 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96945/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96945 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA185 ## Probable cause The balloon pilot’s decision to add heat to the envelope with a tree branch protruding into the envelope that caught fire. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, the balloon came to rest pressing against a small tree. He added that when he applied heat to the envelope to reposition the balloon for deflation, a small hole appeared in the fabric and a small tree branch protruded into the envelope. Upon adding the heat, the tree branch inside the envelope caught fire causing the envelope fabric to catch fire. The passengers exited the basket, two fire extinguishers were deployed in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but the basket and envelope were consumed by the fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, the balloon came to rest pressing against a small tree. He added that when he applied heat to the envelope to reposition the balloon for deflation, a small hole appeared in the fabric and a small tree branch protruded into the envelope. Upon adding the heat, the tree branch inside the envelope caught fire causing the envelope fabric to catch fire. The passengers exited the basket, two fire extinguishers were deployed in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but the basket and envelope were consumed by the fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64EX-2019-02-23), registration cancelled 2019-02-23, S/N 300/59, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC SA N 300 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ultramagic N-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-n-300) (registry code 9130013) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 300/59 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 327.9 - Engines: none - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2017 - Departed: Phoenix, AZ - Destination: Cave Creek, AZ - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 2, 2017; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 287 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KDVT, 8 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 20180328014659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180328014659A), Mar 28, 2018: Ultramagic Sa N-300, Cave Creek, AZ, Destroyed. A hot air balloon operated by hot air expeditions, which describes itself as a ?balloon ride tour agency? Caught fire when its 13AERONAUTS who had paid hot air… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96945. 912 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.