Probable cause
A run-on landing of the balloon causing the basket to tip over, resulting in a passenger's injury.
NTSB analysis
After a sight-seeing flight, the pilot located an area to land the balloon, and briefed the passengers for the landing. The pilot stated that he "landed in soft sand ... going approximately 10 miles-per-hour." The basket slid for approximately 15 feet before tipping over, coming to rest on its side. As the pilot began to unload the passengers, one of passengers complained of pain in her right arm/shoulder area. The passenger was transported to the hospital, and later was determined that she had suffered a broken arm.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA496 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Lindstrand Balloons 240A
- N-number
- N494LB
- Category
- Balloon
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.