# NTSB WPR26LA079: Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, N90MN, La Verkin, UT, January 10, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 10, 2026, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: La Verkin, UT
- Coordinates: 37.205, -113.272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2050&lon=-113.2720&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 2026
- 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): 202292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202292/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202292
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA079

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines after an aborted landing attempt.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1370473), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1370473), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1370473), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the balloon reported that during the flight, the wind pattern changed, and the balloon had traveled toward a congested area. The pilot attempted to land in a clearing, however, decided to abort the landing with the application of the burners to initiate a climb. Subsequently, the pilot realized that the balloon would not clear a set of power lines ahead of their position and pulled out the top of the balloon to expedite a descent. The balloon impacted the power lines and support pole, which resulted in substantial damage to multiple basket suspension cables. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90MN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90MN), registered now, S/N 2482, built 2025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KUBICEK FACTORY S R O BB26M
- Registry model: [Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M](https://openairdocs.org/model/kubicek-factory-s-r-o-bb26m) (registry code 1370473) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 2482
- Year built: 2025
- Airframe hours: 38.35
- Engines: N/A none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 21, 2025
- Departed: 1L8, Hurricane, UT
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 120.5 total, 19.9 in this make and model, 68.8 as pilot in command, 20.9 in the last 90 days, 5.4 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 74; injuries: none; remote, commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2025; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 6,500 total, 38 in this make and model, 6,490 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.67 inHg
- Observed at: KSGU, 17 nm away
- METAR: METAR KSGU 101756Z AUTO 15006KT 10SM CLR 02/M08 A3067

## 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 20260110002709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260110002709A), Jan 10, 2026: Kubicek Factory S R O BB26M, La Verkin, UT, Substantial damage. The flight began at a field near 1L8 airport in hurricane, UT. Before takeoff, the winds were checked and found to be coming from the north, with higher winds…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202292. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19981260&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pilot%206120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/cfi 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20026757&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_CFI_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20036656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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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