Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB30Z N11UW and Balloon Works FIREFLY8 - 24 N7148P accident near Provo, Utah

Probable cause

**This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.**

The failure of the Balony balloon pilot to see and avoid the Balloon Works balloon during an ascent, which resulted in the basket of the Balony balloon colliding vertically with the envelope of the Balloon Works balloon.

NTSB analysis

**This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.**

The pilots of the two balloons involved in a midair collision reported that they both began the takeoff ascent as part of a competition. The Balloon Works balloon pilot, who was lower than the Balony balloon during the ascent, reported that his envelope collided vertically with the basket of the Balony balloon, about 2,000 feet above the ground. The Balony balloon pilot reported that he saw the Balloon Works balloon below him and started to use both of the available burners, but was unable to climb fast enough. A witness to the accident reported that the Balony balloon pilot did not use the balloon's burners until after the collision. After the midair collision, the Balloon Works balloon began to descend about 700 feet per minute and impacted the ground. The pilot of the Balony Balloon reported that he landed without further incident.

Both of the pilots reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with their balloons or burners that would have precluded normal operation.

A postaccident inspection of the Balony balloon revealed no damage to the balloon or the burner. A postaccident inspection of the Balloon Works balloon revealed substantial damage to the envelope.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA157 for the full record.