ULTRAMAGIC SA N 300
Cave Creek, AZ — March 28, 2018
Event Information
| Date | March 28, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA185 |
| Event ID | 20180328X44355 |
| Location | Cave Creek, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.79805, -112.00639 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ULTRAMAGIC SA |
| Model | N 300 |
| Category | BALL |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | DEST |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 13 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The balloon pilot’s decision to add heat to the envelope with a tree branch protruding into the envelope that caught fire.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during landing, the balloon came to rest pressing against a small tree. He added that when he applied heat to the envelope to reposition the balloon for deflation, a small hole appeared in the fabric and a small tree branch protruded into the envelope. Upon adding the heat, the tree branch inside the envelope caught fire causing the envelope fabric to catch fire. The passengers exited the basket, two fire extinguishers were deployed in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but the basket and envelope were consumed by the fire.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.