Head Balloons INC AX9 118 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, March 16, 2010
On March 16, 2010 at about 1:07 am local time, a Head Balloons INC AX9 118, registered N3087D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Phoenix, Arizona. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 4 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 improper preflight inspection of the balloon’s rapid deflation system, which resulted in its inhibited functionality during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2010 · about 1:07 am local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 4 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Head Balloons INC AX9 118 · all AX9 118s on the register
- Registration
- N3087D · registry record · serial 287
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the pilot’s preflight examination of the balloon, she was required to verify that the rapid deflation system actuation lines were free of knots and that the system functioned normally. The pilot failed to observe that one of the actuation lines was knotted and, therefore, improperly rigged. Although a 5-knot wind was forecasted for the vicinity in which the balloon flight was to be performed, minutes after takeoff the pilot observed that the wind speed increased. A witness in another balloon reported that the local wind speed was 12 knots. The pilot terminated the planned hour-long flight early, briefed the passengers that they would be landing in a high wind condition, and directed that they assume a prearranged stance in the basket. As expected, the landing touchdown was hard, and the balloon recoiled into the air. When the basket touched down again, it tipped over as the envelope was blown downwind. The pilot was not able to effectively utilize the balloon’s rapid deflation system because the knotted actuation line impeded her ability to expediently vent hot air from the envelope during the high-wind landing. The basket dragged nearly 360 feet over rough terrain until finally impacting a gate. During this period, the pilot was ejected from and overrun by the basket, which resulted in her serious injury. The five passengers remained inside the basket, and three sustained minor injuries. The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper rigging and functionality of the balloon’s deflation system led to her inability to activate it and extended deflation time and subsequent drag distance.
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
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Roll over during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Balloon/dirigible structures › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 364 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 337 as pilot in command; 10 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 17, 2009
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 311 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 14, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ
- Destination: Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3087D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.