# NTSB WPR25LA081: Cameron Balloons US ZL-70, N31010, Rio Rancho, NM, October 9, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 9, 2024, 08:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Rio Rancho, NM · Open field - Coordinates: 35.2501, -106.621 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2501&lon=-106.6210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 199585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199585/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199585 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from a tree during the landing approach due to a gusting wind shift. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 ZL-70, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1880370), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US ZL-70, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=1880370), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cameron Balloons US ZL-70, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1880370), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the balloon reported that he was descending the balloon to land in a field, with wind coming from the north at about 10 kts. When the balloon was about 30 ft above ground level, the wind shifted and started to come from the northwest with an approximate 15 kt gust. The balloon changed direction during the wind gust and the pilot attempted to correct by burning the balloon’s tow burners, however, the balloon impacted a tree. The balloon sustained minor damage to its basket and envelope, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31010](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31010), registered now, S/N 6967, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CAMERON BALLOONS US ZL-70 - Registry model: [Cameron Balloons US ZL-70](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-balloons-us-zl-70) (registry code 1880370) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 6967 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 34.5 - Engines: NA none - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: May 30, 2024 - Departed: Albuquerque, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2024; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,599 total, 1,599 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KABQ, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KABQ 091352Z 33003KT 10SM FEW140 FEW250 14/M02 A3026 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20241009017679I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241009017679I), Oct 9, 2024: Cameron Balloons US ZL-70, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. On October 9, 2024, balloon [privacy data omitted], while on short final to the landing area, in gusty conditions, hit a tree. This resulted in no injuries or… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199585. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18257190&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pilot%206120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Owner/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18254764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=owner%206120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Additional pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18257834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20confirmation%20of%20no%20mechanical%20failure_redacted-Rel.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. --- 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.