Probable cause
The paraglider pilot's failure to see and avoid the hot air balloon, which resulted in a midair collision.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA017 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 16, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cottonwood, Arizona
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 3
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Lindstrand Balloons 90A
- N-number
- N807PW
- Category
- Balloon
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.