This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N90MN
- History of Flight:
On January 10, 2026, at about 1000 local time, a Kubicek BB26M hot air balloon, N90MN, registered to A&L Professional Services Inc out of Minden, Nevada, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in La Verkin, Utah. The pilot and a designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) onboard were not injured.
The FAA reported: "Aircraft maneuvering and experienced a down draft and became stuck in power lines."
During a post accident interview, the DPE onboard reported the following:
"...said the flight was a pilot’s exam, and the pilot was doing well up until the sudden weather changes. He said the pilot had great control of the balloon, but as they were finding a spot to land, they passed over a cavern, which created a down draft."
“Once it appeared that we were probably going to contact the wires, the applicant did a good job. He pulled the top, which means we weren’t going to try to go up anymore. We’re just going to hit the wires at an envelope lever, which would mean the basket would be safe, and that’s what we did, and we hit it, and we actually slid down to the ground.”
Despite making contact with the ground, the DPE stated that the protocol dictated that the passengers remain in the basket until the power company confirmed that the power had been cut from the wires.
"... said they would attempt another flight for the pilot on Sunday for certification purposes."
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