Pilot Debrief

Ultramagic SA Z-90 near Del Mar, CA — 2024-05-04

Final reportWPR24LA142
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Date
2024-05-04
Location
Del Mar, CA, USA
Aircraft
Ultramagic SA Z-90
Registration
N290UM
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The passenger’s intentional departure from the balloon in flight as an act of suicide.

NTSB narrative

The flight was reported to be a celebration of life sunset flight with one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,300 ft mean sea level, the passenger asked the pilot for privacy for ceremonial reasons, and the pilot turned his back. About 20 to 30 seconds later, the pilot felt a shift in the basket and realized that the passenger had jumped from the balloon. The pilot stated he observed the passenger descending toward the ground. A postmortem report issued by the medical examiner listed the passenger’s cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death as suspected suicide.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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