Pilot Debrief

LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 90A near Cottonwood, AZ — 2010-10-16

Final reportWPR11LA017
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Date
2010-10-16
Location
Cottonwood, AZ, USA
Aircraft
LINDSTRAND BALLOONS 90A
Registration
N807PW
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The paraglider pilot's failure to see and avoid the hot air balloon, which resulted in a midair collision.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of a hot air balloon reported that he was on a local area flight during an airport appreciation day at the departure airport. During the flight, he saw a powered paraglider maneuver close to the envelope of his hot air balloon. The paraglider subsequently collided with the envelope of the hot air balloon. The pilot of the unregistered paraglider reported that he was focused on taking photographs of another hot air balloon at the time and was not aware that he had maneuvered so close to the accident hot air balloon. The paraglider pilot attempted an evasive maneuver to avoid the hot air balloon; however, the paraglider flew into the side of the envelope, penetrating it. As the balloon and paraglider descended, they remained attached until ground impact.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Paraglider pilot could have avoided the balloon by not approaching too closely.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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