Probable cause
A hard landing which resulted in serious injury to a passenger.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, after diverting to an alternate landing area due to adverse wind conditions, the pilot maneuvered the balloon to land on a nearby soccer field. The pilot stated that he engaged the smart vent, touched down, bounced, and the balloon touched down a second time and came to a halt. He reported that during the second touchdown, a passenger's knee struck the calf of a fellow passenger, and that the passenger who was struck sustained a broken fibula. No further injuries resulted and damage was not sustained to any portion of the balloon.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA014 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 8, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Kubicek BB
- N-number
- N106KB
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2014
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Other work use
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.