# NTSB CEN11CA520: Cameron Balloons US AX10, N2012J, Clark, CO, July 22, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2011, 07:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Clark, CO
- Coordinates: 40.760276, -106.964996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7603&lon=-106.9650&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, 2 minor, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA520
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81254/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81254
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA520

## Probable cause

The pilot's encounter with high wind which resulted in a hard landing and passenger injury.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US A-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1880215), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US A-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=1880215), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US A-210, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1880215), [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 A-210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1880215), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Following a sightseeing flight, the pilot landed a hot air balloon in approximately 15 knots of wind. During the initial touchdown, the balloon bounced and skipped several times before landing firmly, tipping the basket on its side. Of the eight passengers on board, one sustained a broken ankle and two passengers sustained minor injuries. There was no damage to the balloon. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

Following a sightseeing flight, the pilot landed a hot air balloon in approximately 15 knots of wind utilizing high wind landing procedures. After the initial touchdown, the balloon bounced and skipped several times before landing firmly. During the landing, the basket tipped on its side. Of the eight passengers on board, one sustained a broken ankle and two passenger sustained minor injuries. There was no damage to the balloon. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2012J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2012J-2018-03-12), registration cancelled 2018-03-12, S/N 6516, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON BALLOONS US AX10 (210)
- Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US A-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-a-210) (registry code 1880215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6516
- Airframe hours: 220.5
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Wild West Balloon Adventures Inc
- Registered owner: Wild West Balloon Adventures Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 2010
- Departed: Clark, CO
- Destination: Clark, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review May 31, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 2,610 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 2,575 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20110722015679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110722015679A), Jul 22, 2011: Cameron Balloons US A-210, Steamboat, CO, No damage. On July 22, 2011, at approximately 1120 MST, a Cameron balloon A-210, N2012J registered to wild west ballon adventures while conducting sight seeing tours…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81254. 640 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 640 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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