Ultramagic N500 accident near Peoria, Arizona, September 18, 2020
On September 18, 2020 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2018 Ultramagic N500 (balloon), registered N500UM, was involved in an accident during landing near Peoria, Arizona. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 18 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The balloon's encounter with unexpected windshear, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injuries.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2020 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 18 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic N500, built 2018
- Registration
- N500UM · registry record · serial 500/18
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he departed from a vacant desert location with the wind from east at about 6 to 8 knots. The balloon ascended to about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl) as he maneuvered. Upon the descent to the intended landing location, about 200 ft agl, the balloon encountered a wind shift from the north. The pilot stated that this amounted to a low-level wind shear that accelerated the descent rate and resulted in an abnormally hard landing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the balloon and that the hard landing was a result of non-forecasted/unexpected wind shear. As a result of the impact, two passenger suffered serious injuries.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Windshear › Ability to respond/compensate
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 3,499 hours in all; 174 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,881 as pilot in command; 616 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 31, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 94 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 24, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 8,406 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Randy Long Companies LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 3:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KDVT, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDVT 180753Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 06/M03 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP134 T00561033
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 17 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2021. 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, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Passengers | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pictures (Unknown Source) | PDF, 2 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 N500UM 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.