Ultramagic SA M56C accident near Indianola, Iowa, August 4, 2022
On August 4, 2022 at about 12:50 pm local time, a 2019 Ultramagic SA M56C (balloon), registered N801UM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Indianola, Iowa (N/A airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2022 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Indianola, Iowa · N/A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic SA M56C, built 2019 · all M56Cs on the register
- Registration
- N801UM · registry record · serial .56/64
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was participating in a balloon event that consisted of dropping markers on targets at various locations. While approaching the final target, he crossed some trees about 200 ft above ground level (agl) in a descent. After crossing the trees, when the balloon was about 20 ft agl, he heard someone announce “powerline” over his crew radio and saw approaching powerlines above his line of sight. He immediately pulled his deflation line and shut off the fuel tanks. The balloon subsequently contacted the powerlines, which resulted in electrical arcing and the basket impacted the ground. The balloon sustained substantial damage to the envelope and the basket. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Low altitude operation/event during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,727 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 14.2 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 31, 2021
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 57 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 26, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,212 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KDSM Des Moines IA at 11:50 am
- Destination: KDSM Des Moines IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 8 knots
- Sky: clear at 30,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 am from KDSM, 26 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDSM 041254Z 03008KT 10SM FEW300 21/16 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP161 T02060156=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 6, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array - Balloon | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.