Summary
On February 15, 2015, a Cameron Z90 - NO SERIES (N681SJ) was involved in an accident near Bernalillo, NM. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 3 people uninjured out of 4 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain the descent rate, resulting in abnormal runway/ground contact.
The pilot determined that the wind was faster than anticipated at the landing location. He maneuvered the balloon for a landing in an open field, the gondola landed hard, and fell onto its side. One passenger sustained a broken leg and the balloon sustained no damage.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA039. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N681SJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain the descent rate, resulting in abnormal runway/ground contact.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot determined that the wind was faster than anticipated at the landing location. He maneuvered the balloon for a landing in an open field, the gondola landed hard, and fell onto its side. One passenger sustained a broken leg and the balloon sustained no damage.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA039