Ultramagic SA N-300 accident near Pahrump, Nevada, June 18, 2026
On June 18, 2026 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 2018 Ultramagic SA N-300 (balloon), registered N330LV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Pahrump, Nevada. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured and 7 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2026 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pahrump, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured and 7 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultramagic SA N-300, built 2018 · all N-300s on the register
- Registration
- N330LV · registry record · serial 300/78
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 18, 2026, at 0645 mountain daylight time, an Ultramagic SA N-300 balloon, N330LV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pahrump, Nevada. The pilot and 2 passengers were seriously injured; 7 passengers sustained minor injuries. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. The pilot reported that after completing a safety briefing to the 9 passengers, he launched the balloon at 0545 with calm wind, and expected to arrive at the intended destination, a dry lakebed, about 40 minutes later. The flight went as planned; however, during the landing approach, the pilot noticed a strong crosswind and aborted the landing. The pilot explained to the passengers that they would continue flying until the wind conditions were calmer. About 5 minutes later, the pilot initiated a second landing approach and did not notice a crosswind. The passengers assumed the safety position, and the pilot turned off the fuel tanks, and bled the fuel lines. The pilot then fully opened the quick-deflation system as the basket touched down normally. As the balloon deflated on the ground, the wind increased, which pushed the balloon and tilted the basket onto its side. The basket continued to drag across the ground and the uprights fracturing followed by the basket becoming partially inverted. According to the pilot, during the accident sequence, a passenger fell onto a burner blast valve, which resulted in a short burst of flame emitted from the burners. The basket came to rest on its side, and the pilot and passengers exited 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
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 716 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 2, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 3,939 lb
- Seats: 17
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Vegas Balloon Rides (2021) LLC
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Pahrump NV at 12:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 am from KDRA, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDRA 181353Z AUTO 11003KT 10SM CLR 27/01 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP063 T02720006 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 7 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. 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 WPR26LA225.