Ultramagic N250 - NO SERIES accident near Phoenix, Arizona, September 13, 2014
On September 13, 2014 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Ultramagic N250 - NO SERIES (balloon), registered N59EX, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Phoenix, Arizona. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 9 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in downdraft and gusting wind conditions which resulted in striking trees and a subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2014 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 9 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic N250 - NO SERIES NO SERIES
- Registration
- N59EX · no longer on the register · serial 250/61
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that as the balloon descended to land, about 50 feet above ground level, a wind gust and down draft resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent collision with trees. The balloon landed hard and bounced several times. During the accident sequence, the basket flipped onto its side and was dragged in the dirt, which resulted in substantial damage to the structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Windshear or thunderstorm during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,600 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,742 as pilot in command; 150 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 27, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 915 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 5,308 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Hot Air Expeditions
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 2:00 pm
- Destination: Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from PHX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 9 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on January 5, 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 |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N59EX 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.