WPR26LA287

On August 2, 2026, about 0710 Pacific daylight time, a Cameron Balloons A-315, N315U, was not damaged when it was involved in an accident near Menifee, California. The pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger was fatally injured. The balloon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 skydiving balloon flight. In a phone conversation, the pilot stated that after all the skydivers had exited the balloon and were safely on the ground, the balloon was descending. The pilot stated that it is their standard practice to open a bottle of champagne for the passengers who remained in the basket. He asked one passenger if he wanted champagne, which the pilot said he "just kind of grunted something" without really responding. While at an altitude of about 4,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot reached into a bag to retrieve drinks for the passengers and felt a very slight movement which he initially believed was one of the passengers had simply shifted position or turned around. However, when he looked up, he noticed that one passenger had jumped out and was no longer in the basket. The pilot added that there was no sound, verbal statement, or warning that the passenger was going to jump out the basket in flight. The pilot radioed his ground crew and requested that they call 911. Subsequently, the pilot landed uneventfully.