Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX N2037U
10 April 2012 · Sedona, Arizona, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 10 April 2012 at about 14:30 local time, a Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX registered N2037U, operated by Northern Light Balloon Expeditions, was involved in an accident near Sedona, Arizona, United States. 14 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sedona, Arizona, United States
- Nearest airport
- Sedona Airport (SEZ)
- Coordinates
- 34.8483, -111.7883
- Aircraft
- Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX
- Registration
- N2037U
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Northern Light Balloon Expeditions
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Sedona → Sedona
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR12CA163
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Probable cause
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | N2037U | Northern Light Balloon Expeditions | Substantial |
| Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | N20513 | Northern Light Balloon Expeditions | - |
Other Avian Balloon MAGNUM accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 1996 | Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | Stilwell, Kansas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 11 Apr 1993 | Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | American HOT Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jul 1992 | Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | Driggs, Idaho, United States | W.g.e., Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 1987 | Avian Balloon MAGNUM IX | Carefree, Arizona, United States | Rainbow Balloon Flights | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 2012 | Luscombe 8E | Winslow, Arizona, United States | Morne Juan Van Staden | No injuries | - |
| 29 May 2012 | Piper PA28R | Peoria, Arizona, United States | Westwind Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 23 Nov 2012 | Eurocopter AS350B3 2B1 | Newfield, Arizona, United States | Department of Homeland Security | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Sep 2012 | Cessna 150 | St Johns, Arizona, United States | Ronald Yearman | No injuries | - |
| 23 Nov 2012 | Piper PA-28-160 | Tacna, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Nov 2012 | Piper PA30 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |