Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX and Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX mid-air collision near Sedona, Arizona, April 10, 2012
On April 10, 2012 at about 2:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX (N2037U) and Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX (N20513), were involved in a mid-air collision near Sedona, Arizona (Sedona Airport). No one was hurt; 14 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot of another balloon did not maintain adequate clearance during approach for landing between his basket and the envelope of this balloon that was also on approach, which resulted in a midair collision.
The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance during approach for landing between his basket and the envelope of another balloon that was also on approach, which resulted in a midair collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made September 29, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 10, 2012 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sedona, Arizona · Sedona Airport · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 14 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX · all MAGNUM IXs on the register
- Registration
- N2037U · registry record · serial 202
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX · all MAGNUM IXs on the register
- Registration
- N20513 · registry record · serial 204
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two balloons were on approach to land and collided into each other. Balloon A, N2037U, was at a lower altitude and in front of balloon B, N20513. As the pilots were descending to land, balloon A began to slow about 10 feet above ground level and the pilot of balloon B realized that the balloons' envelopes might touch, which he noted was not uncommon during takeoffs and landings. As balloon A came closer into his view, he thought the contact may push it into the ground, so he decided to ascend. During the climb, the basket of balloon B collided with the envelope of balloon A, tearing two of its panels just above the equator, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot of balloon B landed his balloon without further incident. The pilot of balloon A observed the envelope tearing and opened both burners. His balloon contacted the ground and bounced, momentarily becoming airborne again before touching down. Both pilots stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloons that would have precluded normal operation.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
The NTSB's narrative for the Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two balloons were on approach to land and collided into each other. Balloon A, N2037U, was at a lower altitude and in front of balloon B, N20513. As the pilots were descending to land, balloon A began to slow about 10 feet above ground level and the pilot of balloon B realized that the balloons' envelopes might touch, which he noted was not uncommon during takeoffs and landings. As balloon A came closer into his view, he thought the contact may push it into the ground, so he decided to ascend. During the climb, the basket of balloon B collided with the envelope of balloon A, tearing two of its panels just above the equator, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot of balloon B landed his balloon without further incident. The pilot of balloon A observed the envelope tearing and opened both burners. His balloon contacted the ground and bounced, momentarily becoming airborne again before touching down. Both pilots stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloons that would have precluded normal operation.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N2037U the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database and is rewritten in plain English only where the NTSB used codes; the probable cause and narrative are the NTSB's own words. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR12CA163.