# NTSB WPR15CA044: Ultramagic N-250, N59EX, Wittman, AZ, November 17, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 17, 2014, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Wittman, AZ - Coordinates: 33.753334, -112.585281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7533&lon=-112.5853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA044 ## 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. ## 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: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; 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: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic S A N-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9130008), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to take the 11 passengers on a hot-air balloon sightseeing tour. The pilot reviewed the weather forecast for the day which disclosed that wind speeds would be less than 8 mph. The morning departure occurred in calm wind conditions and the pilot maneuvered the balloon for about 30 to 40 minutes before he noticed the wind was becoming stronger. As he descended to land, he noted that the wind was reaching 15 to 20 mph. In an effort to make a quick stop, he attempted to activate the rapid deflation valve, which was slower than he expected. The balloon subsequently collided with a tree which resulted in substantial damage to the basket. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to take the 11 passengers on a hot-air balloon sightseeing tour. The pilot reviewed the weather forecast for the day which disclosed that wind speeds would be less than 8 mph. The morning departure occurred in calm wind conditions and the pilot maneuvered the balloon for about 30 to 40 minutes before he noticed the wind was becoming stronger. As he descended to land, he noted that the wind was reaching 15 to 20 mph. In an effort to make a quick stop, he attempted to activate the rapid deflation valve, which was slower than he expected. The balloon subsequently collided with a tree which resulted in substantial damage to the basket. ## 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 N-250 - Registry model: [Ultramagic S A N-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultramagic-s-a-n-250) (registry code 9130008) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 250/6 - Airframe hours: 970.9 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Hot Air Expeditions - Registered owner: Mars Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2014 - Departed: Cave Creek, AZ - Destination: Deer Valley, AZ - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review July 5, 2014; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,785.3 total, 2,785.3 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 13 knots, gusting 18 ## 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 20141117022589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141117022589A), Nov 17, 2014: Ultramagic S A N-250, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. Airman stated before leaving his house he started checking the weather for the morning flight, he checked with noaa, NWS, lntellicast, weather underground,… ## 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 WPR14CA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA396), Sep 13, 2014: Ultramagic N250 - NO Series (N59EX), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. 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. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90403. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422488&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. --- 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.