Kubicek BB85Z accident near Eloy, AZ
On January 14, 2024, a Kubicek BB85Z (balloon) was involved in an accident near Eloy, AZ. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 14, 2024
- Place
- Eloy, AZ
- Aircraft
- Kubicek BB85Z · Balloon
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.819°N, 111.545°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240114193647
Official records · WPR24FA072
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn January 14, 2024, about 0747 mountain standard time, a Kubicek BB85Z balloon, N4961D, was involved in an accident near Eloy, Arizona. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 sightseeing passenger and skydiving (commercial) flight. The flight originated about 0630, an hour before sunrise. The departure area was about 18 miles west-northwest from the accident site. The flight was scheduled with 13 people onboard, including 8 skydivers that planned to jump from the balloon at a planned altitude. Interviews with skydivers revealed that after about 35 minutes, the balloon had ascended to about 10,000 ft msl and all 8 skydivers departed the balloon in small groups, as planned. The 4 passengers and pilot remained in the basket. A few minutes later witnesses and a few of the skydivers saw the balloon descending towards the ground. A review of multiple mobile phone videos revealed that the balloon was descending with a deflated envelope trailing from above. Additionally, at times the engaged burner flame under the deflated envelope was observed. The balloon was equipped with a 360° field-of-view camera. Video from the accident flight begins during preflight, with the envelope being inflated during pre-dawn twilight lighting conditions. Movement of the envelope indicated surface winds were not calm. As passengers boarded the balloon, several of them were noted walking underneath the tie-off rope. A few minutes later ground cre
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to open the rapid deflation valve during flight as a means of descending, which resulted in the deflation of the envelope and hard impact with terrain.
More accidents in AZ
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
