Ultramagic M90 - NO SERIES accident near Sherwood, Oregon, April 12, 2015
On April 12, 2015 at about 2:50 pm local time, a 2011 Ultramagic M90 - NO SERIES (balloon), registered N890VB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Sherwood, Oregon. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain the descent rate, resulting in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2015 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Sherwood, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic M90 - NO SERIES NO SERIES, built 2011 · all M90 - NO SERIESs on the register
- Registration
- N890VB · registry record · serial 90/115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The balloon was descending toward a row of trees during an approach to a field. The pilot added heat to make the balloon ascend. Once clear of the trees, the pilot opened a vent to descend and his hand became entangled in the line. The pilot freed his hand and realized that the descent rate was excessive. He maneuvered the balloon for a landing in the field; the balloon bounced, went up about 10 to 15 feet above ground level, and then landed hard. Two passengers sustained broken feet. The balloon sustained substantial damage to 31 fabric panels in the envelope as a result of contact with the burner flames during the landing sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
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
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 551.5 hours in all; 19.8 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 0.8 in the last 30 days; 535.8 as pilot in command; 27.2 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 26, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 134.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,932 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Vista Balloon Adventures INC
The flight
- Departed from: 2S6 Newberg OR at 2:05 pm
- Destination: 2S6 Newberg OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KUAO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 1, 2015. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation (Owner) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | N890VB Damaged Panels Diagram (Diagram Courtesy of the Owner) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 1 - Damaged Panels (Photo Courtesy of Owner) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 2 - Damaged Panels (Photo Courtesy of Owner) | PDF, 1 page | 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.