# NTSB CEN09CA159: Cameron Balloons US V-90, N2097H, La Junta, CO, January 31, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 31, 2009, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.943332, -103.51361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9433&lon=-103.5136&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA159

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a safe rate of descent during landing. Contributing to the accident was the strong surface winds.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US V-90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1880284), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While landing a hot air balloon, the pilot encountered surface winds estimated at 22 mph and gusting to 28 mph. At 20 to 25 feet above ground level, the pilot shut off the burner and prepared for the landing. The hot air balloon descended 400 to 450 feet per minute, impacted hard on downward sloping terrain, and was dragged approximately 360 feet by the wind before coming to rest. The pilot suffered two broken ankles. There were no reported pre-impact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

While landing a hot air balloon, the pilot encountered surface winds estimated at 22 mph and gusting to 28 mph. At 20 to 25 feet above ground level, the pilot shut off the burner and prepared for the landing. The hot air balloon descended 400 to 450 feet per minute, impacted hard on downward sloping terrain, and was dragged approximately 360 feet by the wind before coming to rest. The pilot suffered two broken ankles. There were no reported pre-impact anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2097H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2097H), registered now, S/N 6505, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON BALLOONS US V-90
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US V-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-v-90) (registry code 1880284) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6505
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Colorado Spring, CO
- Destination: La Junta, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; last flight review November 11, 2008; flight hours: 187 total, 187 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 113° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 12 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20090131001989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090131001989A), Jan 31, 2009: Camron V90, Lajunta, CO, No damage. (-23) Balloon launched from a field west of Colorado springs airport at 0730 on jan 31, 2009. It climbed to altitude of approximately 8500 MSL and drifted with…

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.

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