# Accident 20260302004709A: Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A, Casa Grande, AZ, March 2, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 2, 2026, 07:30 local time
- Place: Casa Grande, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.8139° N, 111.7096° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8139&lon=-111.7096&mi=10
- Aircraft: N261RR, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N261RR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Arbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 260A (registry code 5190013, https://openairdocs.org/model/arbc-inc-dba-lindstrand-260a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ARBC INC DBA LINDSTRAND 260A
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 13
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,759 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA118) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260302004709A

## Narrative

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

ON MARCH 3, 2026, A LINDSTRAND BALLOONS USA ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ BALLOON MADE CONTACT WITH THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A HILL JUST SOUTH OF CASA GRANDE MOUNTAIN NEAR CASA GRANDE, AZ.  THE BALLOON WAS BEING OPERATED ON A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH 12 PASSENGERS.  THE BALLOON WAS 200 FEET ABOVE SURROUNDING TERRAIN, AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AS IT GOT CLOSER.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ALTITUDE BY APPLYING THE BURNERS.  AS THE BALLOON PASSED THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE HILL, IT CONTINUED DESCENDING AND TOUCHED THE SURFACE STRIKING A ROCK IN THE PROCESS.  THE BASKET SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT.  ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.  THE PILOT CONTINUED FLYING THE BALLOON TO LOCATE A MORE SUITABLE LANDING SPOT WHERE THE FLIGHT TERMINATED.

## 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 WPR26LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA118), Mar 2, 2026: Lindstrand 260A (N261RR), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The hot air balloon’s encounter with downdraft wind conditions in mountainous terrain and subsequent impact with terrain.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.