# NTSB WPR14CA396: Ultramagic N250 - NO Series, N59EX, Phoenix, AZ, September 13, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2014, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.29, -112.237503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2900&lon=-112.2375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA396
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90179/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90179
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA396

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in downdraft and gusting wind conditions which resulted in striking trees and a subsequent 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 S A N-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=9130008), [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: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that as the balloon descended to land, about 50 feet above ground level, a wind gust and down draft resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent collision with trees. The balloon landed hard and bounced several times. During the accident sequence, the basket flipped onto its side and was dragged in the dirt, which resulted in substantial damage to the structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that as the balloon descended to land, about 50 feet above ground level, a wind gust and down draft resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent collision with trees. The balloon landed hard and bounced several times. During the accident sequence, the basket flipped onto its side and was dragged in the dirt, which resulted in substantial damage to the structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59EX-2015-04-28), registration cancelled 2015-04-28, S/N 250/61 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC N250 - NO SERIES (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Ultramagic S A N-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-s-a-n-250) (registry code 9130008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 250/61
- Airframe hours: 915
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Hot Air Expeditions
- Registered owner: Mars Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2014
- Departed: Phoenix, AZ
- Destination: Phoenix, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; last flight review May 27, 2014; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,600 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,742 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: PHX

## 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 20140913019369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140913019369A), Sep 13, 2014: Ultramagic S A N-250, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. On 9/13/2014 [privacy data omitted] was piloting N59EX (balloon) carrying 10 passengers. During the descent [privacy data omitted] stated he encountered a…

## Other investigations on N59EX (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 WPR15CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA044), Nov 17, 2014: Ultramagic N-250 (N59EX), Wittman, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon when the wind unexpectedly increased which resulted in a collision with trees during the landing.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90179. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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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