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 analysis
**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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA011 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 8, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cameron Balloons Us A-105
- N-number
- N105BM
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2008
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.