Pilot Debrief

CAMERON BALLOONS US A-105 near Albuquerque, NM — 2023-10-08

Final reportWPR24LA011
Sign in to save
Date
2023-10-08
Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Aircraft
CAMERON BALLOONS US A-105
Registration
N105BM
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A hard landing to a short field, due to windy conditions and a lack of suitable alternate landing areas, which resulted in a passenger sustaining a broken ankle.

NTSB narrative

**This report was modified on February 14, 2025. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The pilot of the balloon reported that she performed an approach to land in an adequate but relatively small field with no suitable alternates nearby. With a wind of about 8 knots, the pilot considered this to be a high-wind landing. Once the balloon was clear of all obstacles and within 15 ft above ground level, she used the balloon’s smart vent system to perform a controlled landing, in accordance with the balloon’s operating manual. The balloon landed hard, which resulted in one passenger breaking her ankle. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps