Ultramagic S A N-500 N500UM

Summary

On 2 May 2021 at about 15:15 local time, a Ultramagic S A N-500 registered N500UM, operated by Randy Long Companies LLC, was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona, United States. 19 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 May 2021 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.8274, -112.1013

Aircraft

Ultramagic S A N-500

Registration

N500UM

Category

Balloon

Year built

2019

Operator

Randy Long Companies LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Phoenix → Phoenix

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA191

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s inability to maintain control after the balloon's encounter with an unexpected wind gust, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that before the revenue passenger-carrying balloon sightseeing flight, he obtained a weather briefing just before departure. Light and variable winds were forecast. After departure the balloon climbed to about 1,400 ft above ground level and began to drift north rather than northeast as he was expecting. After identifying a vacant field for landing, the pilot initiated the descent with a forward speed of about 6 knots. However, after the basket contacted the ground, the wind speed increased. The pilot partially opened the deflation valve to slow down the balloon, but the basket struck a dead tree. Branches from the tree pierced the basket, causing serious injuries to one of the passengers and minor damage to the basket. The balloon envelope had a capacity of 29 occupants, and the basket 25. According to the operator, for insurance purposes, the capacity was limited to 19 passengers and one pilot. Following a fatal balloon accident that occurred in Lockhart, Texas, on July 30, 2016 (see NTSB report AAR-17/03), the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) established an “Envelope of Safety” program for operators who carry paying passengers. According to the BFA, the voluntary program establishes a set of criteria divided into pilot and ride company requirements, which if followed, result in the operator being awarded “Silver”, “Gold”, or “Platinum” status. A prerequisite for all levels is the requirement that each pilot must also satisfy the BFA Professional Ride Operator (PRO) pilot criteria. The criteria established a series of pilot flight experience, training, and drug and alcohol test requirements. The pilot, who also owned the balloon operation, stated that while he was a member of the BFA, he was not enrolled in the PRO or Envelope of Safety Program. The accident was the second for the operator, the first also occurred in the same balloon, and resulted in two serious injuries. See NTSB accident report WPR20LA333.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.