UA1093 Update

UA1093 NTSB Preliminary Report Update‍

Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the UA1093 incident. WindBorne has cooperated with NTSB throughout this process and we will continue to support the agency as it completes its investigation. Our flight systems are designed both to prevent mid-air impacts and, in the rare event one occurs, to ensure safety through redundant structural and operational safeguards.

We are deeply relieved that Flight UA1093 landed safely and with minimal damage. While the NTSB continues to determine the precise cause of the incident, WindBorne has already implemented four additional safety measures to further reduce the possibility of any future aircraft-balloon interactions as well as mitigate harm should an impact occur again

1. Reduced Exposure in Commercial Airspace:
   Balloons no longer maintain superpressure neutral buoyancy within the primary commercial altitude bands (FL300–FL400), cutting total time spent in that zone by approximately 50% across our fleet.
   
   
2. Enhanced Air Traffic Coordination:
   In addition to the live dashboard previously available to air traffic control organizations, WindBorne now provides automated reports via email every two hours for all balloons in a given airspace. Additional alerts are issued as each balloon enters and exits that airspace.
   
   
3. Active Collision-Avoidance Development:
   We have integrated live global ADS-B data through an API feed to identify potential intersections and automatically adjust flight paths. The detection system is operational, and avoidance algorithms are in active testing and near deployment.
   
   
4. Payload Geometry and Mass Optimization:
   We are refining the design of the payload housing to reduce cross-sectional density and impact energy. This includes testing lower-density ballast materials and further reducing overall payload mass.

WindBorne has always strived to exceed the safety and operational standards outlined in 14 CFR Part 101, which governs high-altitude balloon systems. However, the UA1093 incident has reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement, and we have acted immediately to further strengthen safeguards.