> Is it just that unlikely? It is not that it is unlikely but that the consequences would be very low. There are limits on the density and the mass of the ball

> Is it just that unlikely? It is not that it is unlikely but that the consequences would be very low. There are limits on the density and the mass of the balloon. If an aircraft hits it the same happens as if your car hits a butterfly. The butterfly dies and your car won’t even notice it. The relevant exceptions are in cfr 14 part 101.1.4: (4) Except as provided for in § 101.7 , any unmanned free balloon that- (i) Carries a payload package that weighs more than four pounds and has a weight/size ratio of more than three ounces per square inch on any surface of the package, determined by dividing the total weight in ounces of the payload package by the area in square inches of its smallest surface; (ii) Carries a payload package that weighs more than six pounds; (iii) Carries a payload, of two or more packages, that weighs more than 12 pounds; or (iv) Uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that requires an impact force of more than 50 pounds to separate the suspended payload from the balloon. https://casetext.com/regulation/code-of-federal-regulations/title-14-aeronautics-and-space/chapter-i-federal-aviation-administration-department-of-transportation/subchapter-f-air-traffic-and-general-operating-rules/part-101-moored-balloons-kites-amateur-rockets-and-unmanned-free-balloons/subpart-a-general/section-1011-applicability https://casetext.com/regulation/code-of-federal-regulations/...