# Accident 20250909017369A: Cameron Ballons Z-90, Cedar Springs, MI, September 9, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 9, 2025, 18:30 local time
- Place: Cedar Springs, MI
- Damage: No damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.2234° N, 85.5514° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2234&lon=-85.5514&mi=10
- Aircraft: N418RX, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N418RX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cameron Balloons US Z-90 (registry code 1880312, https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-z-90) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON BALLONS Z-90
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA390) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250909017369A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, AT APPROXIMATELY 1830 (EST) A CAMERON BALLOON Z-90,  PILOTED BY A CERTIFICATED BALLOON PILOT (PIC) AND CARRYING 2 PASSENGERS, CAME IN FOR A LANDING AFTER A SITE-SEEING TRIP OVER CEDAR SPRINGS MI. DURING THE INITIAL APPROACH, THE PIC INSTRUCTED HIS PASSENGERS TO ASSUME THE BRIEFED LANDING POSTURE, TO HELP ABSORB THE INITIAL SHOCK OF LANDING. UPON LANDING, THE BALLOON BOUNCED FF THE GROUND CAUSING ONE OF THE PASSENGERS TO FALL IN THE BASKET. UPON THE SECOND BOUNCE, THE OTHER PASSENGER FELL IN THE BASKET LANDING ON THE ANKLE OF THE FIRST PASSENGER BREAKING HER LEG. THE BALLOON FINALLY CAME TO REST ON THE THIRD BOUNCE AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED TO SCENE TO ASSIST IN THE DISEMBARKATION OF THE INJURED PASSENGER AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER TREATMENT. WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED BY METARS AT SPARTA MILLER AIRPORT (K8D4) CLEAR WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST 230 AT 3 KNOTS WITH 10 MILES OF VISIBILITY.  THIS INVESTIGATION IS CONSIDERED CLOSED AND NO FOLLOW UP IS REQUIRED

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN25LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA390), Sep 9, 2025: Cameron Balloons US Z-90 (N418RX), Cedar Springs, MI, no damage. Probable cause: The passenger’s loss of balance during landing that resulted in a serious injury.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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