Ultramagic N-250 accident near Wittman, Arizona, November 17, 2014
On November 17, 2014 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Ultramagic N-250 (balloon), registered N59EX, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Wittman, Arizona. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 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 control of the balloon when the wind unexpectedly increased which resulted in a collision with trees during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 2014 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Wittman, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 9 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic N-250
- Registration
- N59EX · no longer on the register · serial 250/6
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to take the 11 passengers on a hot-air balloon sightseeing tour. The pilot reviewed the weather forecast for the day which disclosed that wind speeds would be less than 8 mph. The morning departure occurred in calm wind conditions and the pilot maneuvered the balloon for about 30 to 40 minutes before he noticed the wind was becoming stronger. As he descended to land, he noted that the wind was reaching 15 to 20 mph. In an effort to make a quick stop, he attempted to activate the rapid deflation valve, which was slower than he expected. The balloon subsequently collided with a tree which resulted in substantial damage to the basket.
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
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,785.3 hours in all; 2,785.3 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 5, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 970.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 5,309 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Hot Air Expeditions
The flight
- Departed from: Cave Creek AZ at 3:45 pm
- Destination: Deer Valley AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 | 8 |
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 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.