# NTSB WPR24LA006: Ultramagic N-300, N27MU, Phoenix, AZ, October 3, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 3, 2023, 07:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ · Desert terrain
- Coordinates: 33.773384, -112.16635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7734&lon=-112.1663&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 5 minor, 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193195/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193195
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA006

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultramagic N-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=9130013), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Other: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot of the balloon reported that while descending for a landing with a 5 kt wind from the west, about 20 ft above ground level, the balloon’s groundspeed increased to 12-13 kts. The pilot ascended the balloon due to power lines and when cleared, began the approach to landing in a small field. The pilot verified all passengers were in position for the landing and flared utilizing all 3 burners. Subsequently, the balloon impacted cholla covered desert terrain, bounced, and came to rest on its side about 140 ft from the initial landing area. Two passengers sustaining serious injury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27MU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27MU), registered now, S/N 300/109, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ULTRAMAGIC SA N-300
- 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: 300/109
- Year built: 2023
- Airframe hours: 75.34
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mars Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2023
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2023; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KDVT, 7 nm away
- METAR: KDVT 031353Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/06 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01670056

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193195. 843 KB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16548734&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of record - passengers of the hot air balloon (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16564757&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=roc%20passengers-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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